lfc  iluantttt  of  Natural  fftatnry 

MDRAUY 

(Hrtnu 


FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY. 

PUBLICATION  No.   137. 
ORNITHOLOGICAL  SERIES.  VOL.   i,  No.  5. 


THE   BIRDS  OF   THE    LEEWARD 
ISLANDS,    CARIBBEAN    SEA 


BY 


CHARLES  B.  CORY, 
Curator  of  Department  of  Zoology, 


CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 

October,    1909. 


THE   BIRDS   OF  THE   LEEWARD   ISLANDS, 
CARIBBEAN   SEA. 

INCLUDING  THE  ISLANDS  OF 

ARUBA,  CURACAO,  BONAIRE,  ISLAS  DE  AVES,  LOS  ROQUES, 

ORCHILLA.'TORTUGA,  BLANQUILLA,  LOS  HERMANOS, 

TESTIGOS  IS.,  AND  MARGARITA. 


BY    CHARLES    B.    CORY. 


In  the  spring  of  1908  Mr.  John  F.  Ferry  and  Dr.  Ned  Dearborn 
made  a  short  visit  to  the  islands  of  Aruba,  Curasao  and  Bonaire 'for 
the  purpose  of  collecting  zoological  material  for  this  Museum,  Mr. 
Ferry  devoting  his  time  to  Aruba  and  Bonaire,  and  Dr.  Dearborn  to 
Curasao;  and  in  January  of  the  present  year  (1909)  Mr.  Ferry  re- 
turned to  Curasao,  where  he  chartered  a  schooner  and  made  collec- 
tions on  the  islands  of  Bonaire,  Islas  de  Aves,  Los  Roques,  Orchilla, 
Tortuga,  Blanquilla,  Los  Hermanos,  Testigos  Is.  and  Margarita,  the 
ornithological  results  of  both  of  these  expeditions  being  summarized 
in  the  present  paper,  together  with  a  list  of  the  species  previously 
recorded  from  the  islands  by  other  writers. 

ARUBA   ISLAND. 

The  Island  of  Aruba  or  Oruba,  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  is  17  miles 
long  and  about  4  miles  in  width,  and  is  situated  16  miles  north  of  Cape 
San  Roman,  Venezuela,  and  43  miles  west  of  Curasao.  A  large  part 
of  the  island  is  low  and  barren,  but  there  are  two  irregular  and  com- 
paratively high  hills  in  the  interior.  The  vegetation  is  scattered  and 
consists  principally  of  cacti  of  several  species  and  occasional  groves 
of  palms  and  tamarinds,  while  mangroves  are  common  along  the 
shores.  Fruit  trees  of  various  species  are  cultivated  in  some  local- 
ities, as  is  also  the  Dividivi-tree  (Libidibi  coriacea). 

ORNITHOLOGICAL   BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

1882.     LAWRENCE,  G.  N.     Descriptions  of  new  Species  of  Birds  of 
the  Genera  Chrysotis,  Formicivora  and  Spermophila,  Ann. 
N.  Y.  Acad.  Sciences,  Vol.  II,  1883,  p.  381.  (Description  of 
Chrysotis  canifrons  from  Aruba.) 
193 


194     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

1888.  MARTIN,  K.  Bericht  iiber  eine  Reise  nach  Neiderlandische 
Westindien,  Leiden,  1888,  p.  141.  (Mentions  several  species 
of  birds.) 

1892.  HARTERT,  E.  Bull.  Brit.  Orn.  Club,  No.  iii,  1892,  p.  xii. 
(Description  of  Myiarchus  brevipennis.) 

1892.  HARTERT,  E.     Bull.  Brit.  Orn.  Club,  No.  iv,  1892,  p.  xvi.    (De- 

scription of  Conurus  arubensis.} 

1893.  HARTERT,  E.     On  the  Birds  of  the  Islands  of  Aruba,  Cura?ao 

and  Bonaire.     Ibis,   1893,  p.  289. 

1902.  HARTERT,  E.  Die  mit  Sicherheit  festgestellten  Vogel  der 
Inseln  Aruba,  Curacao  und  Bonaire.  Novitates  Zoologicae, 
Vol.  IX,  1902,  pp.  295-309. 


BIRDS   OF   ARUBA. 

Mr.  Ferry  remained  on  Aruba  from  April  22  until  May  16,  1908. 


Family  LaridsB. 

Larus  atricilla  Linn. 

Not  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry  but  observed  on  several  occasions;  also 
recorded  by  Hartert.  (Ibis,  1893,  p.  311.) 

Phaethusa  magnirostris  (Licht.). 

A  single  male  specimen  taken  May  12,  1908.  It  has  not  pre- 
viously been  recorded  from  the  island. 

Sterna  maxima  Bodd. 

5  specimens  taken,  3  males,  2  females.     It  was  not  uncommon. 

Sterna  eurygnatha  Saunders. 

i  specimen  taken,  a  male.  Although  recorded  from  Margarita, 
it  has  not  previously  been  taken  here. 

Sterna  hirundo  Linn. 

i  specimen  taken,  others  seen.  Mr.  Hartert  (Ibis,  1893,  p.  309) 
states  that  his  specimens  agree  with  5.  hirundo  but  "are  smaller 
and  the  bill  somewhat  less  pointed."  In  the  specimen  before  me 
the  difference,  if  any,  is  very  slight. 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  195 

Sterna  dougalli  Montag. 

Mr.  Hartert  states  that  he  found  this  species  breeding  on  the  coral 
reef  on  the  coast  of  Aruba  (Ibis,  1893,  p.  310).  Judging  from  the 
color  of  the  bill  and  feet,  as  Mr.  Hartert  suggests,  these  birds  may  be 
S.  d.  gracilis  Cory.  It  was  not  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry. 

Sterna  antillarum   (Less.}. 

3  specimens  taken;  common.  Mr.  Hartert  found  it  breeding 
and  saw  young  birds  in  July. 

Sterna  fuliginosa  Gmel. 

i  specimen,  an  adult  male,  taken  early  in  May. 

Sterna  anaethetus  Scop. 

Mr.  Ferry  did  not  procure  this  species,  but  Mr.  Hartert  found  it 
breeding  in  some  numbers  on  Aruba  the  latter  part  of  June. 


Family  Phalacrocoracidse. 

Phalacrocorax  vigua  (Vieill.}. 

Phalacrorax  brasilianus  Hartert,  NovitatesZoologicae,  1902,  p.  308. 

i  specimen  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry,  others  seen.     Mr.  Hartert  found 
it  abundant  "but  difficult  to  approach."  (Ibis,  1893,  p.  308.) 


Family  Pelecaiiidse. 

Pelecanus  occidentals  Linn. 

Pelecanus  fuscus  Hartert,    Ibis,    1893,   p.  308. 
i   specimen  taken;  common. 

Family  Fregatidse. 

Fregata  aquila  (Linn.}. 

i  specimen  taken,  an  adult  male;   rather  common. 

Family  Phoenicopteridse. 

Phoenicopterus  ruber  Linn. 

According  to  Hartert  (Ibis,  1893,  p.  307)  a  Flamingo  was  seen 
and  shot  by  Dr.  Cole.  As  P.  ruber  is  not  uncommon  on  Los  Roques 
and  has  been  recorded  from  Bonaire,  it  was  probably  this  species. 


196     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

Family  Plataleidse. 

Ajaia  ajaia  (Linn.). 

i  specimen  taken,  a  female.     Apparently  not  previously  recorded 
from  these  islands.     Mr.  Ferry  also  took  a  specimen  on  Margarita. 


Family  Ardeidre. 
Egretta  candidissima    (Gniel.). 

Recorded  by  Mr.  Hartert  as  having  been  seen  on  Aruba  and  Bon- 
aire; not  observed  by  Mr.  Ferry. 

Hydranassa  tricolor  Mull. 

Given  by  Hartert  as  occurring  on  Aruba,  who  states,  "  Not  plenti- 
ful but  of  regular  occurrence  on  Aruba  and  Bonaire.  Identical  with 
South  American  specimens  but  different  from  the  Mexican  sub- 
species, which  is  spread  over  the  West  Indies."  (Ibis,  1893,  p.  307.) 
Its  regular  occurrence  on  Aruba  is  surprising,  as  all  specimens  which 
I  have  examined  from  the  islands  (including  Margarita  and  Trinidad) 
are  H.  t.  ruficollis. 

Hydranassa  tricolor  ruficollis   (Gosse). 

Mr.  Ferry  procured  four  specimens  on  Aruba  and  others  on  Mar- 
garita, all  of  which  agree  very  well  with  specimens  from  the  West 
Indies  and  are  readily  distinguished  from  specimens  of  H.  tricolor 
from  British  Guiana  and  Brazil. 

Florida  caerulea  (Linn.). 

One  adult  specimen  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry. 

Butorides  virescens  robinsoni   (Richmond). 

Two  specimens  taken,  which  I  refer  provisionally  to  this  form, 
as  they  approach  nearer  to  it  than  to  virescens.  Hartert  refers  his 
Aruba  specimens  to  B.  virescens  (Ibis,  1893,  p.  307)  and  suggests  it 
is  probably  the  bird  called  B.  striata  by  Peters  (J.  f.  O.',  1892,  p.  121). 

This  group  of  Herons  is  decidedly  in  need  of  careful  revision. 


Family  Scolopacidre, 

Pisobia  maculata  (Vieill.). 
3  specimens,  i  cT,  2  9. 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  197 

Pisobia  minutilla   (Vieill.). 
5  specimens,  i  d\  4  9. 

Ereunetes  pusillus  (Linn.). 
3  specimens,  2  d\  i  9. 

Calidris  leucophaea   (Pallas). 
Calidris  arenaria  of  authors, 
i  cT,  others  seen. 

Totanus  melanoleucus  (Gmel.). 
3  specimens,  all  males. 

Totanus  flavipes  (Gmel.). 
i  specimen,  ciT. 

Actitis  macularia  (Linn.). 
i  specimen,  d\ 


Family  Charadriidfe. 

Squatarola  squatarola   (Linn.). 

4  specimens,  2  <5\  2  9  . 

/Egialitis  semipalmata  Bonap. 

5  specimens,  30?,  2  9  . 

Ochthodromus  wilsonius  rufinuchus   (Ridgw.). 
9  specimens,  7  d\  2  9. 


Family  Aphrizidse. 

Arenaria  interpres  morinella  (Linn.). 

7  specimens,  4  cT,  3   9. 


Family  Hpeiiiatopodidse, 

Haematopus  palliatus   Temm. 
i  specimen,  cT ;    others  seen. 


198     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 


Family  Odoiitophoridae. 

Eupsychortyx  cristatus  (Linn.). 

13  specimens,  6  d\  7  9. 

The  rufous  color  on  the  belly  varies  in  intensity  in  different  speci- 
mens, being  only  faintly  indicated  in  some  females;  the  latter  also 
lack  the  black  stripes  above  and  below  the  ear  coverts.  Apparently 
occurs  only  on  the  islands  of  Aruba  and  Curacao. 


Family  Columbidse. 

Columba  gymnophthalma   Temm. 

cT  taken  May  n,  1908;    not  uncommon  in  some  localities. 

Leptotila   verreauxi   (Bonap.). 

3  specimens  taken,  2  d\  i  9  ;    not  uncommon. 

Zenaida  vinaceo=rufa  Ridgw. 

3  specimens,  all  males;    common. 

Chiemepelia  passer! na  perpallida   (Hartert). 
14  specimens,  4  d\  10  ?  ;    common. 


Family  Falcoiiidse. 

Buteo  albicaudatus  colonus  Berlep. 

A  bird  supposed  to  be  this  subspecies  was  seen  by  Mr.  Hartert 
(Ibis,  1893,  p.  304).  It  was  not  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry. 

Falco  sparverius  brevipennis  (Berlep.). 

4  specimens,  2  cT,  2  9. 

The  characters  given  by  Berlepsch  as  distinguishing  this  sub- 
species seem  fairly  constant  in  birds  from  this  island.  The  type  is 
from  Curacao. 

Polyborus  cheriway  (Jacq.). 

i  specimen  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry. 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  199 


Family  Strigidse. 

Speotyto  cunicularia  (Mol.). 
5  specimens,  2  d\  3  9. 

The  specimens  from  Aruba  apparently  belong  to  this  species. 
They  are  somewhat  darker  and  browner  than  5.  brachyptera  from 
Margarita,  and  the  inner  bars  on  the  outer  web  of  the  first  primary 
are  not  connected  as  in  birds  from  that  island.  The  under  wing 
coverts  are  unmarked.  The  measurements  of  the  five  Aruba  speci- 
mens are  as  follows: 

Wing,  6.      ;  tail,  2.80;  tarsus,  1.75. 

"       6.      ;     "     3.      ;       "        1-70. 

6-15;  2.95;  1.75. 

6.30;        3-    ;  1-75- 

6.15;     "      2.80;       "        1.73. 


Family  Psittacidse. 

Amazona  ochroptera  (Gmel.). 

Although  this  handsome  Parrot  is  not  uncommon  in  some  parts 
of  the  island,  it  is  shy.  Mr.  Ferry  procured  but  one  specimen,  an 
adult  female;  others  were  seen. 

Conurus  aeruginosus  arubensis    (Hartert). 

Conurus arubensis Hartert,  Bull.  Brit.  Orn.  Club.  No.  iv,  1892,  p.  xvi. 

8  specimens,  3  cT,  5  9  . 

Very  similar  to  C.  ceruginosus,  and  it  is  doubtful  if  it  is  worthy  of 
more  than  subspecific  recognition.  The  color  of  the  forehead  and 
sides  of  the  head  appear  to  be  subject  to  considerable  variation. 


Family  Cuculidse. 

Coccyzus  minor   (Gmel.}. 

2  specimens,  a  male  taken  April  22,  1908,  and   a   female  taken 
May    4. 

Coccyzus  americanus   (Linn.}. 
i  specimen,  ciT,  April  22. 


200     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 


Family  Trochilidse. 

Florisuga  nielli vora   (Linn.). 

Mr.  Ferry  took  a  single  specimen  on  Aruba,  an  immature  male 
beginning  to  assume  the  blue  throat  and  which  I  refer  provisionally 
to  this  species.  The  back  is  slightly  more  golden  green  than  in  other 
specimens  in  approximate  stage  of  plumage  from  northern  South 
America,  and  there  are  other  slight  differences,  but  not  of  sufficient 
importance  to  characterize  it  as  an  insular  form,  especially  in  a  single 
specimen.  It  is  probably  a  straggler  from  the  mainland  and  not 
resident,  as  it  has  not  previously  been  recorded  from  the  island. 

Chrysolampis  mosquitus   (Linn.). 
8  specimens,  6  d\  2  9  ;   common. 

Chlorostilbon  caribaeus  Lawr. 
7  specimens,  6  d\  i   9  . 


Family  Tyraimidae. 

Tyrannus  dominicensis  (Gmel.). 
3  specimens,  i  d\  2  9  ;    common. 

Tyrannus  melancholicus  satrapa   (Cab.  &  Heine). 

Mr.  Ferry  took  a  female  specimen  of  this  Flycatcher  May  i,  1908. 
It  has  not  previously  been  recorded  from  the  island. 

Myiarchus  tyrannulus  brevipennis   (Hartert). 

3  specimens,  i  cJ1 ,  2  9 . 

Sublegatus  glaber  Scl.  &  Salv. 

4  specimens,  2  cT,  2  9. 

Elaenia   martinica  riisii   (Sclater). 
4  specimens,  2  cT,  2  9  . 


Family  Icterida*. 

Icterus  icterus  ridgwayi  (Hartert). 

Mr.  Ferry  procured  two  specimens  of  this  fine  Oriole,  a  male  and 
a  female,  on  Aruba,  which  agree  in  size  of  bill  with  birds  from  Mar- 
garita (see  note  regarding  this  form  under  Margarita).  Mr.  Hartert 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  201 

bases  this  subspecies  largely  on  the  size  of  the  bill  and  feet,  as  com- 
pared with  specimens  from  Cumana,  Venezuela,  and  the  Orinoco 
region  (Novitates  Zoologicae,  Vol.  IX,  1902,  p.  299).  The  measure- 
ments of  the  Aruba  specimens  are  as  follows: 

cJ1  wing  4.30;  culmen  1.14;  depth  of  bill  at  nostril  .43. 

9  "  4-20;  "  i  .08;  "  "  "  "  "  .40. 
Birds  from  St.  Thomas  approach  much  nearer  this  form  and  differ 
decidedly  in  color  and  size  of  bill  from  birds  from  the  mainland.  The 
St.  Thomas  birds  must  either  be  considered  to  be  ridgwayi  or  a  new 
form;  they  are  certainly  different  from  true  Icterus  icterus.  The 
under  parts,  collar  and  ramp  are  bright  yellow,  with  only  a  trace  of 
orange,  not  decidedly  orange  or  reddish  orange  as  in  icterus  and 
ridgwayi.  The  bill  averages  larger  than  in  either,  some  specimens 
having  the  culmen  1.25.  The  middle  of  the  outer  webs  of  primaries 
(except  the  first  and  second)  are  narrowly  but  distinctly  edged  with 
white,  while  in  both  icterus  and  ridgwayi  there  is  merely  a  trace,  and 
in  many  specimens  from  the  mainland  it  is  entirely  wanting.  Should 
a  larger  series  of  specimens  prove  these  differences  to  be  constant, 
I  propose  that  the  St.  Thomas  bird  be  recognized  as  Icterus  icterus 
harterti. 

Icterus  xanthornus  curasoensis  (Ridgw.). 
8  specimens,  i  c? ,  7  9  . 

Dolichonyx  oryzivorus  (Linn.). 
i  specimen,  cT,  April  25,  1908. 


Family  Friiigillidae. 

Spiza  americana   (Gmel.~). 

i  specimen,  d\  April  24,  1908. 

Brachyspiza  capensis  insularis   (Ridgw.). 
14  specimens,  10  d\  4  9  ;   common. 

Tiaris  sharpei   (Hartert). 

Euetheia  sharpei  Hartert,  Bull.    Brit.    Orn.    Club,  Vol.  I,  No. 
vii,  1893,  p.  xxxvii. 

13  specimens,  8  d\  5  9  ;   common. 


202     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 


Family  Coerebidse. 

Coereba  uropygialis  Berlep. 
14  specimens,  6  d\  8  ?  . 


Family  Miiiotiltidse. 

Dendroica  ruficapilla  rufopileata  Ridgw. 
ii  specimens,  8  d\  3  ?  . 

Family  Mimidse. 
Mimus  gilvus  rostratus  Ridgw 
9  specimens,  7  cJ\  2  2. 


CURACAO   ISLAND. 

The  Island  of  Curacao  is  situated  43  miles  east  of  Aruba.  It  is 
about  6  miles  in  width  at  its  widest  part.  The  central  portion  is  high, 
rising  from  the  coast  in  successive  terraces,  the  highest  part  being 
known  as  San  Cristoffel  Mountain.  It  is  situated  in  the  northwestern 
portion  of  the  island  and  has  an  elevation  of  1255  feet. 

The  vegetation  is  similar  to  that  of  Aruba,  although  a  considerable 
number  of  fruit  orchards  occur  throughout  the  island.  Dr.  N.  Dear- 
born's stay  on  Curacao  was  limited  to  eight  days,  from  March  24  to 
March  31,  1908,  and  nearly  all  of  his  specimens  were  taken  about 
12  miles  west  of  the  town  ot  Willemstad  in  the  western  part  of  the 
island. 

ORNITHOLOGICAL   BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

1874.  LAWRENCE,  G.  N.  Description  of  a  new  Species  of  Humming- 
bird from  Curacao.  Ann.  N.  Y.  Lye.  Nat.  Hist.,  Vol.  X, 
p.  13.  (Describes  Chlorostilbon  caribceus.} 

1884.  RIDGWAY,  R.  On  a  Collection  of  Birds  made  by  Messrs. 
J.  E.  Benedict  and  W.  Nye  of  the  United  States  Fish  Com- 
mission Steamer  "Albatross,"  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Vol. 
VII,  1884,  p.  173. 

1888.  MARTIN,  K.  Bericht  iiber  eine  Reise  nach  Neiderlandische 
Westindien,  Leiden,  1888,  p.  119. 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  203 

1892.     BERLEPSCH,  H.  v.     Die   Vogel   der    Insel    Curajao.    Cabanis 

Journ.  fur  Orn.,  1892,  pp.  62-104. 
1892.     PETERS,  E.     Die  Vogel   Curacaos.  Cabanis  Journ.  fur  Orn., 

1892,   pp.    104—122. 

1892.  HARTERT,  E.     Bull.  Brit.  Orn.  Club,  No.  iii,  1892,  pp.  xii-xiii. 

(Descriptions  of  Myiarchus  brevipennis  and  Strix  flammea 
bargei  from  Curacao.) 

1893      HARTERT,  E.     On  the  Birds  of  the  Islands  of  Aruba,  Curajao, 
and  Bonaire.     Ibis,  1893,  pp.  311-326. 

1893.  HARTERT,  E.     Bull.  Brit.  Orn.  Club,  Vol.  I,    No.   vii,    1893, 

p.  xxxvii.     (Description  of  Euetheia  sharpei.} 
1895.     ROBINSON,  W.     A    flying    Trip  to  the  Tropics,  a  Record  of 

an  Ornithological  Visit  to  Colombia  and   Curacao,  i  vol., 

Cambridge,  U.  S.  A.,  1895. 
1902.     HARTERT,  E.     Die   mit    Sicherheit    festgestellten    Vogel    der 

Inseln  Aruba,  Curagao  und  Bonaire.  Novitates  Zoologicae, 

Vol.  IX,  1902,  pp.  295—309. 


BIRDS    OF   CURACAO. 

Family  Laridse. 
Larus  atricilla  Linn. 

Recorded  by  Hartert  (Ibis,  1893,  p.  326). 

Sterna  maxima  Bodd. 

Recorded  by  Hartert  (Ibis,  1893,  p.  326). 

Sterna  hirundo  Linn. 

Hartert  (Ibis,  1893,  p.  326);   not  taken  by  Dearborn. 


Family  Pelecaiiidse. 
Pelecanus  occidental  is  Linn. 

Pelecanus  fuscus,  Hartert,  Ibis,  1893,  p.  326 


Family  Fregatidse. 
Fregata  aquila   (Linn.). 

Hartert,  Ibis,  1893,  p.  326. 


204     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

Family  Ardeidse. 

Ardea  herodias   Linn. 

A  bird  of  this  species  was  taken  by  Messrs.  Benedict  and  Nye  on 
Curacao.  (Ridgway,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1884,  p.  177.) 

Egretta  candidissima  (Gmel.). 

Hartert  states:  "White  Herons  are  of  irregular  occurrence  on 
Cura9ao,  and  as  I  shot  A.  candidissima  on  Aruba,  I  suppose  that  they 
belong  to  this  species."  (Ibis,  1893,  p.  325.) 

Butorides  virescens  (Linn.). 

Recorded  by  Hartert  (Ibis,  1903,  p.  325) ;  not  taken  by  Dearborn. 


Family  Recurvirostridse. 

Himantopus  mexicanus   (Mull.). 

Not  taken  by  Dearborn.  Hartert  states,  "Flocks  of  old  and 
young  of  this  Stilt  were  seen  in  June  on  the  lagoon  of  Savonet."  (Ibis, 
1893,  p.  325.) 

Family  Scolopacidse. 

Melodramas  solitarius  (Wils.). 

A  male  bird  of  this  species  was  taken  by  Dr.  Dearborn,  March  25, 
1908. 

Actitis  macularia   (Linn.). 

Recorded  by  Robinson  and  Hartert;    not  taken  by  Dearborn. 


Family  Hsematopodidse. 

Haematopus  palliatus  Temm. 

Recorded  by  Hartert.     (Ibis,  1893,  p.  325.) 


Family  Odoiitophoridse. 

Eupsychortyx  cristatus  (Linn.). 
7  specimens,  4  cT ,  3  9  . 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  205 

Family  Columbidiie. 

Columba  gymnophthalma  Tonni. 

i  adult  female  taken;    others  seen.     "Iris,  orange  brown;    bill, 
pink;    feet,  red."      (Dearborn.) 

Zenaida  vinaceo=rufa  Ridgw. 

5  specimens,  3  <5\  2  9  .     "Iris,  dark  brown;  bill,  black;  feet,  red." 
(Dearborn.) 

Chaemepelia  passerina  perpallida   (Hartert). 

7  specimens,  5  d\  2  9  .     "Iris,  brown;   bill,  orange  at  base,  dusky 
at  tip;    feet,  red."     (Dearborn.) 


Family  Falcoiiidre. 

Buteo  albicaudatus  colonus  Berlep. 

Type  from  Curagao.  (Berlepsch,  J.  f.  O.,  1892,  p.  91.)  It  was  not 
taken  by  Dr.  Dearborn. 

Falco  sparverius  brevipennis   (Berlep.). 

12  specimens,  7  d\  5  9  ,  in  which  the  characters  described  by 
Berlepsch  seem  fairly  constant.  "Iris,  dark  brown;  bill,  horn-blue; 
feet,  yellow."  (Dearborn.)  The  measurements  are  as  follows: 


cT  wing, 

6.50; 

tail,  5.      ; 

tarsus,  1.35 

cf       " 

6.50; 

"    s'-     ; 

1.30 

c?      " 

6.45; 

5-    ; 

1.30 

c?      " 

6.55; 

4.90; 

i-35 

c?      " 

6.50; 

"5-    ; 

1.30 

c?      " 

6  .  40  ; 

4.90; 

i-35 

cT 

6  .  60  ; 

4-95; 

1.38 

9      " 

7-    ; 

5-1°; 

1.30 

9      " 

6-95; 

"    s-2°; 

i-35 

9      " 

7-    ; 

"    s-jo; 

1.30 

9      " 

7.10; 

5  •  40  ; 

i  .  40 

9 

6-95; 

"    5-25; 

i-37 

Polyborus  cheriway   (Jacq.). 

Given  by  Hartert  as  "not  rare"  (Ibis,  1893,  p.  321') ;  not  taken  by 
Dearborn. 


206     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 


Family  Aluconidse. 
Aluco  pratincola  bargei   (Hartert). 

Strix  flammed  bargei  Hartert,  Bull.  Brit.  Orn.  Club,  No.  iii,  1892, 
p.  xiii.  Id.  Ibis,  1893,  p.  124. 

Dr.  Dearborn  was  unable  to  procure  a  specimen  of  this  Owl.  Mr. 
Hartert  considers  it  "not  very  rare  in  some  of  the  rocky  parts  of 
Curacao"  (Ibis,  1893,  p.  322). 


Family  Psittacidife. 

Conurus  pertinax  (Linn.). 

8  specimens  of  this  well-marked  species  were  taken,  4  d\  4  9  .  It 
is  found  throughout  the  island;  but  is  more  common  in  the  western 
part.  Hartert  states,  "The  nests  are  mostly  built  in  the  large  ants'- 
nests  placed  in  trees,  into  which  they  dig  holes."  (Ibis,  1893,  p. 
320.)  Specimens  from  St.  Thomas  agree  very  well  with  birds  from 
this  island  except  in  most  cases  the  St.  Thomas  bird  has  the  sides 
of  the  head  slightly  darker  orange,  and  the  outer  webs  of  third  and 
fourth  primaries  are  as  a  rule  more  distinctly  green. 

So  far  as  known.no  species  of  Amazona  occurs  on  Curasao. 

Family  Cuculidse. 

Crotophaga  sulcirostris  Swains. 
2  specimens,  both  females. 

Family  Caprimulgidse. 

Stenopsis  cayennensis   (Gmel.). 

Dr.  Dearborn  did  not  find  this  species  on  Curacao,  but  Mr.  Hartert 
obtained  a  female  and  two  young  birds.  (Ibis,  1893,  p.  319.) 


Family  Trochilid?e. 

Chrysolampis  mosquitus   (Linn.}. 
i    specimen,  cT. 

Chlorostilbon  caribaeus  Lawr. 
14  specimens,  6  d\  8  9. 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  207 

Family  Tyrannidse. 

Tyrannus  dominicensis   (Gmel.). 
7  specimens,  5  d\  2  ?  . 

Tyrannus  melancholicus  satrapa   (Cab.  &  Heine). 

A  female  killed  by  Dr.  Dearborn,  March  i,  1908;  not  previously 
recorded  from  Curacao. 

Myiarchus  tyrannulus  brevipennis  (Hartert). 
Two  specimens  taken,  a  male  and  a  female. 

Sublegatus  glaber  Sd.  &  Salv. 

Two  specimens,  both  males;    not  rare. 

Elaenia  martinica  riisii   (Soldier). 

i  specimen,  $ .  Although  only  one  bird  of  this  species  was  pro- 
cured by  Dr.  Dearborn,  it  is  apparently  not  uncommon  on  Curasao, 
as  both  Mr.  Hartert  and  Herr  Peters  obtained  specimens. 


Family  Icteridre. 
Icterus  icterus  ridgwayi   (Hartert.) 

Xanthornus  icterus  ridgwayi  Hartert,  Novitates  Zoologicae,  Vol. 
IX,  1902,  p.  299. 

Seen  on  several  occasions  by  Dr.  Dearborn,  but  none  was  taken. 
Mr.  Hartert  found  it  "not  numerous"  and  states  that  the  colors  of 
Curasao  specimens  were  very  bright.  (Ibis,  1893,  p.  317.) 

Icterus  xanthornus  curasoensis  (Ridgw.). 
7  specimens,  3  cT,  4  9. 


Family 

Brachyspiza  capensis  insularis  Ridgw. 

Zonotrichia  pileata  Berl.,  Journ.  fur  Orn.,  1892,  p.  82. 

A  good  series  of  21  specimens,  13  cT,8  9  ,  were  taken  by  Dr.  Dear- 


born. 


2o8     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

Ammodramus  savannarum  caribasus   (Hartert). 

Coturniculus  savannarum  carib&us  Hartert,  Novitates  Zoologicae, 
Vol.  IX,  1902,  p.  298. 

Not  taken  by  Dearborn.  Hartert  states  he  found  it  abundant 
in  a  stony  valley  covered  with  high  grass  and  bushes  at  Beeken- 
burg,  Curacao.  He  describes  it  as  differing  from  A.  savannarum 
in  being  smaller,  the  bill  decidedly  smaller.  The  upper  head, 
which  is  divided  in  the  middle  by  a  cream  colored  line,  is  not  so 
blackish,  but  more  brownish  (translation).  The  type  is  from  Bonaire. 

Tiaris  sharpei   (Hartert.) 

Euetheia  sharpei  Hartert,  Bull.  Brit.  Orn.  Club,  Vol.  I,  1893, 
p.  xxxvii.  Id.  Ibis,  1893^  p.  314. 

23  specimens,  n  d\  12  9. 


Family  Hirundiiiidse. 
Hirundo  erythrogastra  Bodd. 

Dr.   Dearborn  observed  what  he  believed  to  be  this  species  at 
Curacao. 

Family  Ccerebidsp. 

Coereba  uropygialis  Berlep. 

12  specimens,  10  d\  2  9  ;    common.     "Corners  of  mouth,  red." 
(Dearborn) . 

Family  Miiiotiltidae. 

Dendroica  ruficapilla  rufopileata  Ridgw. 
1 6  specimens,  8  cT,  8  9  ;   common. 

Family  Mimidse. 

Mimus  gilvus  rostratus  Ridgw. 
9  specimens,  6  d\  3  9. 


BONAIRE    ISLAND. 

The  Island  of  Bonaire  or  "Buen  Ayre  "  is  of  irregular  shape,  24 
miles  long  and  from  3  to  4^  "miles  in  width.  It  is  situated  some  50 
miles  north  of  Venezuela  and  about  30  miles  east  of  Curacao.  In 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  209 

formation  and  vegetation  it  resembles  the  latter.  Mr.  Ferry  spent 
6  days  on  this  island,  May  16  to  21,  1908;  and  a  single  day,  January 
1 8,  during  his  second  visit  to  these  islands  in  1909. 

ORNITHOLOGICAL    BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

1892.  HARTERT,  E.     Bull.   Brit.   Orn.   Club,   Vol.    I,    1892,  p.  xiii. 

(Description  of  Chrysotis  rothschildi  from  Bonaire.) 

1893.  HARTERT,  E.      (Description     of    Chrysotis  rothschildi).     Ibis, 

1893,  p.   123. 
1893.     HARTERT,  E.     On  the  Birds  of  the  Islands  of  Aruba,  Guragao, 

and  Bonaire.     Ibis,   1893,  pp.  311-326. 
1902.     HARTERT,  E.     Die  mit   Sicherheit   Festgestellten,   Vogel   der 

Inseln  Aruba,  Curayao,  and  Bonaire.  Novitates  Zoologicae, 

Vol.  IX,  1902,  pp.  295-309. 

BIRDS   OF   BONAIRE. 

While  on  Bonaire  Mr.  Ferry  devoted  nearly  all  his  time  to  the  land 
birds  and  took  but  two  specimens  of  water  birds,  Totanus  melano- 
leucus  and  Totanus  flavipes.  The  following  additional  species  are 
recorded  from  the  island  by  Mr.  Hartert  (Ibis,  1893,  pp.  334-337.): 

Larus  atricilla     Linn. 

Sterna  maxima  Bodd. 

Sterna  hirundo  Linn. 

Sterna  antillarum  (Less.). 

Pelecanus  occidentalis  Linn. 

Fregata  aquila  (Linn.). 

Phoenicopterus  sp.  (?) 

Egretta  candidissima  (Gmel.). 

Hydranassa  tricolor  (Mull.).* 

Butorides  virescens   (Linn.). 

Himantopus  mexicanus  (Mull.). 

Pisobia  minutilla  (Vieill.). 

Totanus  melanoleucus   (Gmel.). 

i  specimen,  cT,  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry. 

Totanus  flavipes   (Gmel.). 

i  specimen,  cT,  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry. 

/Egialitis  collaris   (Vieill.). 
Hartert,  id.,  p.  335. 


*  Regarding  the  occurrence  of  this  species,  see  remarks  under  Aruba.,  p.  196. 


210     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

Ochthodromus  wilsonius  rufinuchus  (Ridgw.). 

ALgialitis  rufinucha  Hartert,   Ibis,   1893,   p.   335. 
JEgialitis  wilsonius  rufinucha    Hartert,  Novitates  Zoologicae,  Vol. 
IX,  1902,  p.  307. 

Family  Columbidse. 
Columba  gymnophthalma    Tcnnn. 

3  specimens,  2  d\  i    9 

Columba  portoricensis  Temm. 
Columba  corensis  of  authors. 

1  specimen.     According  to  Mr.  Ferry,  while  this  species  is  not 
uncommon,  it  is  shy.     Mr.  Hartert  states,  "I  met  with  this  Pigeon 
only  among  the  rocks  on  Bonaire,  where  it  is  fairly  common  near 
Fontein.      The  bill  is  of  a  dark  blood-red  color,  horn- white  at  the  tip. 
The  iris  consists  of  two  rings,  the  outer  one  crimson,  the  inner  one 
yellow.     The  naked  papillose  space  around  the  eye  is  yellow,  not  red." 
(Ibis,  1893,  p.  333.) 

Leptotila  verreauxi    (Bonap.). 

2  specimens,  i  d\  i    9. 

Zenaida  vinaceo=rufa  Ridgw. 
jo  specimens,  7   cT,  3    9. 

Chaemepelia  passerina  perpallida  (Hartert). 
10  specimens,  5  d\  5   9  ;   very  common. 


Family  Falcoiiidse. 

Buteo  albicaudatus  colonus  Berlep. 

Not  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry;  given  by  Hartert  as  "rare  on  Bonaire." 
(Ibis,   1893,   p.   332.) 

Falco  sparverius  brevipennis  Berlep. 

Not  taken  by   Mr.  Ferry.       Mr.  Hartert   states  it  is  "very  rare 
on  Bonaire."     (Ibis,   1893,  p.  332.) 

Polyborus  cheriway   (Jacq.). 

One  specimen,  d\  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry;   others  seen. 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  211 


Family  Psittacidae. 

Amazona  ochroptera  rothschildi    (Hartert). 

Chrysotis  rothschildi  Hartert,  Bull.  Brit.  Orn.  Club,  No.  Ill,  1892, 
p.  xii.  Id.  Ibis,  1893,  p.  123.  Id.  Ibis,  1893,  p.  328. 

Mr.  Ferry  was  unable  to  procure  a  specimen  of  this  fine  Parrot 
during  his  stay  on  Aruba,  so  I  am  unable  to  compare  specimens  from 
the  type  locality  with  the  series  in  this  Museum  from  Blanquilla 
Island;  but  Mr.  Lowe  (Ibis,  1909,  p.  330)  considers  the  Blanquilla 
bird  to  be  rothschildi,  having  compared  his  specimens  from  that  island 
with  a  series  from  Aruba  including  the  type. 

According  to  Hartert's  description  (Ibis,  1893,  p.  328)  .4.  roth- 
schildi differs  from  A.  ochroptera  mainly  in  having  only  the  anterior 
part  of  the  crown,  the  space  around  the  eyes,  and  the  ear  coverts 
yellow,  and  the  green  color  of  the  throat  reaches  nearly  or  quite  to 
the  lower  mandible  on  sides  of  chin;  the  chin  and  throat  are  not 
yellow  as  in  ochroptera.  In  rothschildi  the  cubital  edge  of  the  wing 
is  largely  bright  scarlet,  while  in  ochroptera  it  is  yellow,  with  only  a 
few  scattered  red  feathers  near  the  body.  The  rump  and  abdomen 
in  rothschildi  show  less  or  no  blackish  edges  to  the  feathers  and  the 
abdomen  is  less  distinctly  tinged  with  blue. 

The  measurements  of  7  adult  specimens  given  by  Hartert  are  as 
follows : 

Males,  wing,  8  to  8.05;  tail,  4.9  to  5.4;  culmen,  1.26  to  1.4; 
height  upper  mand.  at  base,  .59  to  .65. 

Females,  wing,  7.80  to  8.30;  tail,  5.1  to  5.3;  culmen,  1.26  to 
1.4;  height  upper  mand.  at  base,  .55  to  .60. 

For  further  remarks  concerning  this  species  see  under  Blanquilla 
and  Margarita  (pp.  223,  242). 

Conurus  xanthogenius  Bonap. 

13  specimens,  6  d\  7  9  . 

Mr.  Ferry  informs  me  that  this  species  is  common  on  Bonaire. 
The  golden  yellow  crown  will  always  distinguish  adult  birds  in  full 
plumage  from  C.  pertinax,  and  when  compared  in  series  it  will  be 
noticed  that  the  green  of  the  upper  parts  is  slightly  darker.  There 
is  much  variation  in  the  amount  of  yellow  on  the  crown,  probably 
due  to  age  and  season.  One  male  has  a  perfect  yellow  crown, 
others,  both  males  and  females,  have  the  crown  yellow  with  a  few 
green  feathers,  the  crown  green  with  a  few  yellow  feathers,  and 


212     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

two  specimens  (a  male  and  a  female)  have  the  crown  entirely  green 
without  yellow  and  showing  only  a  trace  of  orange  yellow  on 
the  forehead. 


Family  Caprimulgidse. 

Stenopsis  cayennensis  (Gruel.}. 

Not  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry  on  Aruba.     "Breeds  on  Curacao  and 
Bonaire."      (Hartert,   Ibis,   1893,   p.   319.) 


Family  Trochilidse. 

Chrysolampis  mosquitus   (Linn.}. 
7  specimens,  4  cT,  3  ?  . 

Chlorostilbon  caribous  Lawr. 

3  specimens,  i  cT,  2  ?  . 


Family  Tyraimidse. 

Tyrannus  dominicensis   (Gmel.}. 

7  specimens,  4  d\  3  ?  ;    common. 

Myiarchus  tyrannulus  brevipennis  (Hartert). 

i  specimen,    9 . 

Mr.  Hartert  states  it  is  "Not  very  rare  near  SavOnet  and  in  other 
well  wooded  places."      (Ibis,  1893,  p.  318.) 

Sublegatus  glaber  ScL  &  Salv. 
14  specimens,  10  cT,  4  $'. 
Mr.  Ferry  found  this  species  common  in  wooded  localities. 

Kkenia  martinica  riisii   (Sclater}. 
3  specimens,  2  cf,  i  9. 


Family  Icteridse. 

Icterus  xanthornus  curasoensis   (Ridgw.}. 

2  specimens,  both  females,  which  apparently  do  not  differ  from 
specimens  from  Curacao. 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  213 

Family  Friiigillitlse. 

A  m  mod  ram  us  savannarum  caribous   (Hartert). 

Mr.  Ferry  obtained  a  single  specimen  of  this  form,  the  type  of 
which  came  from  this  island.  Mr.  Hartert  found  it  abundant  in 
high  grass  on  Mr.  Hatchett's  plantation.  (Novitates  Zoologicae,  Vol. 
IX,  1902,  p.  298.)  See  remarks  regarding  this  form  under  Curacao. 

Tiaris  sharpei   (Hartert). 

Euetheia  sharpei  Hartert,  Bull.  Brit.  Orn.  Club,  Vol.  I,  No.  VII, 
1893,  p.  xxxvii,  Id.  Ibis,  1893,  p.  328. 

12  specimens,  8  d\  4  9. 

Family  C<i*rebida% 

Coereba  uropygialis  Berlep. 

1 8  specimens,   10  cf,  8  $  . 

Family  Vireonidae. 

Vireosylva  chivi  agilis   (Licht.). 

A  single  female  specimen  of  this  Vireo  was  taken  January  19,  1909. 
It  had  not  been  previously  taken  on  Bonaire. 

Family  Mniotiltidse. 

Oendroica  ruficapilla  rufopileata    R-idgw. 
14  specimens,  8  cT',  6  $  . 

Family  Mimitlse. 

Mimus  gilvus  rostratus  Ridgw. 

ii   specimens,  6  d\   5   $. 

Margarops  fuscatus   (Vieill.). 

Margarops  fuscatus  Hartert,  Ibis,   1893,  p.  327. 

Mr.  Hartert  found  this  West  Indian  species  common  in  the  gardens 
near  Fontein  on  Bonaire,  and  states  that  he  was  unable  to  distinguish 
his  specimens  from  those  from  the  Bahamas,  Haiti,  Porto  Rico,  and 
St.  Thomas.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  Mr.  Lowe  has  since  taken 
it  on  Los  Hermanos.  It  was  not  observed  by  Mr.  Ferry. 


214     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 


ISLAS  DE  AVES. 

These  islands  are  situated  about  30  miles  southeast  of  Bonaire 
and  consist  of  two  groups  of  low  cays  called  Ave  de  Sotavento  and 
Ave  de  Barlovento.  The  largest  island  is  about  3^  miles  long,  being 
fringed  in  places  with  mangroves  and  having  a  scant  growth  of  grass 
and  low  bushes  in  the  interior.  Mr.  Ferry  visited  Ave  de  Barlovento, 
the  eastern  group,  and  remained  there  two  days,  January  23  and  24, 
1909.  As  far  as  I  am  able  to  learn  this  island  had  not  previously 
been  visited  by  a  collector. 

Family  Sulidre. 

Sula  leucogastra  (Bodd.}. 

Sula  sula  of  authors. 

3  specimens,  20?,  i  ?. 

Mr.  Ferry  found  this  species  common;  seventy-five  eggs  were 
taken,  nearly  all  of  which  were  quite  fresh. 

Family  Ardeidae. 
Nyctanassa  violacea  (Linn.}. 

One  female  taken  January  23. 

Family  Scolopacidse. 

Numenius  hudsonicus  Lath. 

i  specimen,   9  ,  January  23,  1909. 

Totanus  flavipes  (Gmel.}. 
One  seen  but  not  taken. 

Family  Charadriidse. 

Ochthodromus  wilsonius  rufinuchus  (Ridgw.). 
i   specimen,  cT ;    others  seen. 

Family  Aphrizidse. 

Arenaria  interpres  morinella  (Linn.}. 
i   specimen,  cT. 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  215 

Family  Mniotiltidap. 

Dendroica  ruficapilla  rufopileata  Ridgw. 

7  specimens,  3  d\  4  9  ;    common. 


LOS  ROQUES  ISLANDS. 

A  group  of  small  cays,  situated  about  30  miles  east  of  Islas  de 
Aves.  They  are  all  low,  with  the  exception  of  El  Roque,  where  the 
limestone  hills  rise  to  an  altitude  of  several  hundred  feet. 

"The  vegetation  is  principally  mangroves,  cacti,  and  dwarf  trees, 
and  there  is  an  extensive  wooded  swamp  at  the  eastern  end  of  the 
island."  (Ferry.)  I  find  no  evidence  of  this  island  having  been 
previously  visited  by  a  collector.  Mr.  Ferry's  stay  in  this  locality 
was  from  January  25  to  29,  1909. 

Family  Laridae. 

Sterna  maxima  Bodd. 
i   specimen,  cT. 

Family  Pelecanidae. 

Pelecanus  occidentalis  Linn. 

Mr.  Ferry  found  this  species  common,  but  specimens  were  not 
taken. 

Family  Fregatidse. 

Fregata  aquila   (Linn.}. 

Seen  on  several  occasions,  but  no  specimens  were  taken  in  this 
locality. 

Family  Phoenicopteridse. 

Phoenicopterus  ruber  Linn. 

6  specimens,  4  & ,  2  9. 

"Flamingoes  were  common  here,  25  to  30  being  seen  in  one  flock, 
but  no  signs  of  nests  were  seen  in  this  island  (El  Roque).  We  heard 
of  a  large  nesting  ground  in  another  portion  of  Los  Roques  group." 
(Ferry.) 


216     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

Family  Ardeidse. 

Ardea  herodias  Linn. 

1  specimen,   9 . 

Dichromanassa  rufescens   (Gmel.). 

2  specimens,  both  females,  one  in  white  plumage;   a  number  seen 
and,  according  to  Mr.  Ferry,  the  white  and  gray  phases  were  about 
equally  common. 

Butorides  virescens  robinsoni  (Richmond  . 

i  specimen,  9  ,  which  I  provisionally  refer  to  this  form. 

Family  Recurvirostridre- 

Himantopus  mexicanus   (Mull.). 
i  specimen,  ?  . 

Family  Charadriida?. 

/Egialitis  semipalmata  Bonap. 
i  specimen,  Jan.   26,   1909. 

The  following  species  of  shore  birds  were  seen  by  Mr.  Ferry,  but 
no  specimens  were  taken  in  this  locality: 
Calidris  leucophsea  (Pallas). 
Totanus  melanoleucus  (Gmel.). 
Totanus  flavipes   (Gmel.). 
Helodromas  solitarius   (Wils.). 
Squatarola  squatarola    (Linn.). 
Arenaria  interpres  morinella   (Linn.). 
Hasmatopus  palliatus  Temm. 

Only  five  species  of  land  birds  were  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry  in  this 
group  of  islands;    two  are  apparently  new. 

Family  Tyraimida^. 

Myiorchus  tyrannulus    brevipennis   (Hartert). 
i  specimen,  cT. 

Sublegatus  glaber  Scl.  &  Salv. 
6  specimens,   i  cT,   5  ?. 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  217 

Family  Coerebidae. 

Coereba  lowii  sp.  nov. 

Type  No.  36896,  Field  Museum  of  Natural  History  (Los  Roques). 

Adult  male:  Whole  of  head  and  throat  black;  under  parts  dark 
olive  green,  showing  a  tinge  of  gray  on  the  lower  abdomen;  under 
tail  coverts  dark  gray;  back  sooty  gray  or  dull  grayish  black,  not 
clear  black  like  the  crown;  rump  dark  olive  green;  wings  and  tail 
similar  to  C.  wellsi. 

Length  (skin),  4.10  in.  (104  mm.);  wing,  2.40  in.  (60.8  mm.); 
bill,  .55  in.  (14  mm.);  .tarsus,  .70  in.  (17.80  mm.). 

This  species  is  similar  to  Coereba  wellsi,  but  differs  in  having  the 
back  distinctly  more  gray  than  the  crown,  not  uniform  as  in  wellsi, 
and  the  under  parts  more  decidedly  olive  green.  In  the  four  speci- 
mens taken  the  dried  skins  show  every  indication  of  a  tumid  rictus, 
which  does  not  show  at  all  in  specimens  of  C.  laura  from  Los  Testigos, 
but  the  color  has,  of  course,  faded  out,  and  unfortunately  Mr.  Ferry 
made  no  notes  as  to  the  color  of  the  rictus  in  life;  he  informs  me, 
however,  that  he  thinks  it  was  red.  I  have  named  it  in  honor  of  Mr. 
Percy  R.  Lowe,  the  well  known  English  ornithologist. 

Family  Miiiotiltidse. 

Seiurus  noveboracensis  (Gmel.). 

i  specimen,  d\  taken  January  27,   1909. 

Dendroica  ruficapilla  obscura   subsp.  nov. 

Type  No.  37255,  Field  Museum  of  Natural  History  (Los  Roques). 

Adult  male:  Crown  dark  chestnut,  nearly  as  dark  as  in  D.  r. 
capitalis  from  Barbados;  back  and  upper  parts  dark  olive  green, 
some  of  the  feathers  on  the  back  with  a  dark  shaft  line;  rump  slightly 
more  yellow  than  the  back,  but  not  so  bright  as  in  D.  r.  rufopileata; 
under  parts  deep  yellow;  throat  and  breast  streaked  with  orange 
brown;  secondaries  and  tertials  edged  with  greenish  yellow;  other- 
wise similar  to  D.  r.  rufopileata  except  in  size. 

Wing,  2.50;    tail,  2.15;    bill,   .38;    tarsus,   .88. 

This  form  is  similar  to  D.  r.  rufopileata,  but  is  decidedly  larger 
and  has  the  back  and  rump  darker  olive.  The  crown  is  slightly 
darker  chestnut  and  the  under  parts  deeper  yellow;  the  edgings  of 
the  secondaries  and  tertials  are  more  greenish  yellow.  The  female 
is  larger  and  somewhat  darker  above. 


2i8     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

24  specimens  of  this  apparently  well-marked  form  were  taken, 
12  males  and  12  females. 

The  comparative  measurements  of  the  two  forms  are  as  follows: 

D.  r.  obscura,    Los  Roques. 

12  males;  wing,  2.35  to  2.54;   tail,  2  to  2.25;   bill,  .36  to  .40. 

D.  r.  rufopileata  from  Aruba,  Cura$ao,  and  Bonaire. 

20  females;  wing,  2.23  to  2.37;  tail,  1.78  to  1.90;  bill,  .33  to 
•37- 

ORCHILLA  ISLAND. 

Orchilla  Island  is  situated  about  1 5  miles  east  of  Los  Roques  and 
73  miles  north  of  Cape  Godera,  Venezuela.  It  is  approximately  7^ 
miles  long  and  about  one  mile  broad.  The  interior  of  the  island  is 
high  and  largely  barren,  consisting  of  seven  hills  separated  by  low 
valleys.  What  vegetation  there  is  consists  principally  of  low  bushes, 
together  with  cacti  of  several  species,  and  mangroves  are  found 
along  the  shores.  Mr.  Ferry's  stay  on  Orchilla  was  limited  to  three 
days,  January  30  to  February  i,  1909.  In  his  notes  he  states  that 
birds  were  comparatively  scarce  and  confined  to  few  species.  Be- 
sides those  recorded  below  the  following  species  were  given  as  not 
uncommon:  Pelecanus  occidentalis ,  Fregata  aquila,  and  Phcenicopterus 
ruber.  So  far  as  known,  no  collector  had  previously  visited  this 
island . 

Family  Columbidre. 

Chaemepelia  passerina  perpallida   (Hartert). 
10  specimens,  6  d\  4  9  ;    common. 


Family  Miiiotiltidse. 
Dendroica  ruficapilla  rufopileata  Ridgw. 

7  specimens,  4  d\  3  9  . 

"Common.  Found  a  nest  of  this  species  containing  3  half- 
fledged  young,  also  a  young  of  the  year  dangling  by  a  leg  in  a  cobweb." 
(Ferry.) 

Birds  from  Orchilla,  Blanquilla,  Tortuga,  Testigos,  and  probably 
Margarita  differ  somewhat  from  D.  r.  rufopileata  from  Caracas  and 
Bonaire,  and  those  from  Blanquilla  and  Tortuga  have  the  wings  and 
tail  shorter.  The  yellow  colors  are  brighter,  especially  the  yellow 
edgings  of  the  secondaries  and  tertials,  which  are  also  broader. 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  219 

The  crown  in  birds  from  Testigos,  Blanquilla,  and  Tortuga  is  fully  as 
dark  as  in  D.  r.  capitalis  from  Barbados,  but  the  orange-brown  streaks 
on  the  under  parts  are  narrower  and  more  restricted  than  in  that 
form.  While  it  is  probable  that  these  birds  represent  fairly  good 
insula  forms  and  are  worthy  of  subspecific  recognition,  I  do  not  feel 
it  is  desirable  to  separate  them,  for  the  present  at  least,  and  have 
referred  them  all  provisionally  to  rufopileata. 

The  comparative  measurements  of  birds  from  the  different  islands 
are  as  follows: 
ISLAS  DE  AVES:  3  specimens  (males);   wing,  2.25  to  2.37;   tail,  1.80 

to   1.85;    bill,    .33   to    .37.     Apparently  intermediate  between 

rufopileata  and  obscura. 
ARUBA,  CURASAO,  AND  BONAIRE:  20  specimens  (males);  wing,  2.23 

to  2.37;  tail,  1.78  to  1.90;   bill,  .33  to  .37. 
ORCHILLA:  4  specimens  (males);  wing,  2.24  to  2.35;    tail,  1.82  to 

1.88;    bill,   .35  to  .37. 
BLANQUILLA:  7  specimens  (males);  wing,  2.15  to  2.27;    tail,  1.85 

to  1.95;  bill,   .35  to   .37. 
TORTUGA:  4  specimens  (males);    wing,  2.20  to  2.26;    tail,  1.80  to 

1.90;  bill,    .35   to    .38. 
TESTIGOS:   5   specimens   (males);  wing,   2.24  to   2.32;  tail,   1.83   to 

i  .90;  bill,    .35  to    .38. 


Family  Mimicl?e. 

Mimus  gilvus  rostratus  Ridgw. 

8  specimens,  4  cT,  3  9  ,  i  ? 

TORTUGA  ISLAND. 

The  Island  of  Tortuga  is  situated  42  miles  northeast  of  Cape 
Codera,  Venezuela,  and  about  48  miles  west  of  Margarita,  and  is 
about  12  miles  long  by  5  miles  broad  at  its  widest  part.  It  is  about 
100  feet  high  at  the  eastern  end,  while  the  western  part  is  low.  The 
vegetation  in  the  interior  is  scattered,  being  principally  cacti  of  sev- 
eral species.  Mr.  Ferry  writes:  "Bird  life  is  abundant  here.  The 
western  portion  of  the  island  is  lower  and  more  plain-like  and  more 
sparsely  covered  with  vegetation  than  the  eastern  part.  There  is 
a  heavy  mangrove  forest  on  the  southeastern  side  where  a  colony  of 
Brown  Pelecans  nest." 


220     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

Mr.  Ferry  reached  Tortuga,  February  2,  and  left  February  4,  1909, 
remaining  there  less  than  three  days.  No  collector  had  previously 
visited  the  island  and  nothing  was  known  regarding  its  fauna.  The 
results  obtained  in  such  a  limited  time  would  indicate  that  it  is 
worthy  of  further  investigation. 


Family  Pelecaiiidse. 

Pelecanus  occidentalis  (Linn.). 

Common.  No  specimens  were  taken  but  Mr.  Ferry  found  a 
large  colony  nesting  among  the  mangroves  on  the  southeastern  part 
of  the  island.  Most  of  the  nests  contained  young  birds  varying  in 
size. 

Family  Fregatidse. 

Fregata  aquila  (Linn.). 

A  number  seen  but  none  taken;    "common"  (Ferry). 

Family  Columbidse. 

Chaemepelia  passerina  perpallida   (Hartert). 

i  specimen,  $  ,  which  apparently  does  not  differ  from  those  from 
Margarita. 

Family  Psittacidae. 
Conurus  aeruginosus  tortugensis  subsp.  nov. 

Type  36976,  Field  Museum  of  Natural  History  (Tortuga  Island). 

Adult  male :  Similar  to  Conurus  czruginosus  but  differs  in  having 
decidedly  more  orange  yellow  on  sides  of  head;  the  throat  and  sides 
of  head  below  the  orange  patch  paler  (about  the  same  color  as  aru- 
bensis) ;  the  under  wing  coverts  more  yellowish  green,  and  the 
wings  and  tail  longer. 

Length  (skin),  about  10.25;  wing,  5.65;  tail,  5.50;  bill,  .80; 
tarsus,  .43.  (The  measurements  are  in  inches.) 

Mr.  Ferry  procured  28  specimens  of  this  interesting  bird,  the 
measurements  of  which  are  as  follows: 

8  males,  wing,  5  .65  to  5  .85  —  average  5.70  in.  (144.8  mm.);  tail, 
5-45  "to  5.40  —  average  5.50  in.  (139.7  mm.). 

20  females,  wing,  5.50  to  5.80  —  average  5-55  in.  (141  mm.); 
tail,  5  .45  to  5  .80  —  average  5  .60  in.  (142  .  25  mm.). 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  221 

Family  Trochilidse. 

Doleromya  pallida  Richmond. 

4  specimens,  3  d\  i  9  ,  which  apparently  do  not  differ,  from  speci- 
mens from  Margarita. 

Chrysolampis  mosquitus   (Linn.). 
2  specimens,  i  9  ,  i  ?. 


Family  Friiigillidse. 

Tiaris  tortugensis  sp.  nov. 

Type  No.  36977,  Field  Museum  of  Natural  History  (Tortuga 
Island). 

Adult  male:  Forehead  and  about  half  of  crown  blackish,  grad- 
ually shading  into  olive  gray,  the  black  extending  more  on  the  crown 
than  in  T.  sharpei ;  sides  of  head  and  whole  throat  and  breast  black ; 
abdomen  gray,  the  black  of  the  breast  ending  rather  abruptly;  back 
olive  gray,  paler  than  sharpei;  under  wing  coverts  gray  with  no 
tinge  of  olive;  otherwise  resembles  T.  sharpei. 

Wing,   2.14;    tail,  1.75;    bill,    .40;    tarsus,    .62. 

Female:  Above  ash  gray  with  hardly  a  trace  of  olive,  paler  than 
sharpei;  under  parts  shading  from  very  pale  brownish  ashy  on  the 
throat  to  ashy  white  on  the  belly. 

Nine  specimens  of  this  supposed  new  form,  8  males  and  i  female, 
were  taken.  Mr.  Ferry  states  that  it  was  common  and  nesting. 


Family  Coerebidse. 

Mr.  John  F.   Ferry  procured  a  series  of  n   specimens  of  a  well 
marked  new  species  of  Coereba  on  Tortuga,  which  I  have  given  his 
name. 
Coereba  ferryi  sp.   nov. 

Type  No.  36997,  Field  Museum  of  Natural  History  (Tortuga 
Island,  February  2,  1909). 

Male:  Similar  in  size  and  coloration  to  specimens  of  C.  luteola 
from  Margarita  and  coast  of  Venezuela,  but  differs  in  having  the 
entire  forehead  and  front  of  crown  white  and  the  secondaries  and 
tertials  narrowly  tipped  with  white.  In  the  type  the  frontal  white 
patch  extends  upon  the  crown  at  least  .30  in.  from  base  of  upper 


222     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

mandible,  and  in  none  of  the  series  (8  males,  3  females)  is  the  white 
forehead  less  than  .15  in.  in  width. 

Length  (skin),  3.75  in.  (95.2  mm.);  wing,  2.25  in.  (57.2  mm.); 
tail,  1.75  in.  (44.4  mm.);  culmen,  .38  in.  (9.6  mm.). 

According  to  Mr.  Ferry,  the  species  is  common  on  the  island. 
Many  nests  were  found,  but  all  were  empty. 


Family  Miiiotiltidse. 

Dendroica  ruficapilla  rufopileata   Ridgw. 
4  specimens,  all  males;    common. 


Family  Mimiclse. 

Mimus  gilvus  (Vieill.). 

15  specimens,  n  cT,  4  9  ;   common. 

Specimens  from  Tortuga  vary  in  size  of  bill  and  coloration  and 
are  apparently  intermediate  between  gilvus  and  rostratus,  and  might 
equally  well  be  referred  to  either.  For  convenience  I  have  consid- 
ered birds  from  Tortuga  and  Margarita  to  be  gilvus. 


BLANQUILLA  ISLAND. 

The  Island  of  Blanquilla,  or  Blanca,  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  is 
situated  about  40  miles  north  of  Margarita  and  85  miles  east  of  Or- 
chilla.  It  is  six  miles  long  and  about  three  miles  broad  at  its  widest 
part.  The  interior  of  the  island  is  broken  with  ravines,  most  of 
them  wooded.  There  is  a  considerable  growth  of  trees  on  the  western 
end  and  some  groves  of  palms.  Large  areas  are  covered  with  grass. 

"A  Venezuelan  leases  the  island  and  conducts  a  goat  ranch. 
About  his  estate  we  found  all  the  land  birds  occurring  on  the  island 
except  the  large  parrot.  Vegetation  is  far  more  luxuriant  and  vig- 
orous on  this  island  than  on  any  previously  visited,  although  it  is 
still  of  a  semi-arid  character."  (Ferry.) 

This  island  had  previously  been  visited  by  Mr.  Percy  R.  Lowe, 
who  has  published  the  following  papers  concerning  its  ave  fauna: 

1906.  Bull.  Brit.  Orn.  Club,  Vol.  XIX,  1906,  p.  6.      (Description  of 

Euethia  johnstonei.) 

1907.  On  the   Birds  of  Blanquilla  Island,  Venezuela.     Ibis,   1907, 

p.  in. 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  223 

1909.     Notes  on  some  Birds  collected  during  a  Cruise  in  the  Caribbean 

Sea.     Ibis,  1909,  p.  330. 
Mr.  Ferry  remained  on  Blanquilla  two  days,  February  6-7,  1909. 


Family  Pelecanidse. 

Pelecanus  occidentalis  Linn. 

Common;    no  specimens  taken.     (Ferry.) 

Family  Fregaticlfe. 

Fregata  aquila  (Linn.). 

Common,  but  no  specimens  taken.     (Ferry.) 

Family  Ardeidse. 
Butorides  virescens  robinsoni   (Richmond). 

Recorded  by  Mr.  Lowe  (Ibis,  1903,  p.  117);  not  taken  by  Mr. 
Ferry. 

Family  Columbidae. 

Chaemepelia  passerina  perpallida   (Hartert). 

1  specimens,  5  d\  2  9  ;    common. 

Mr.  Lowe  states:  "The  bill  of  the  bird  varies  from  orange  and 
orange  yellow  to  yellow  at  the  base.  In  some  females  the  bill  is 
almost  entirely  black."  (Ibis,  1907,  p.  115.) 


Family  Psittacidse. 

Amazona  ochroptera  rothschildi   (Hartert). 

10  specimens,  8  cf ,  2  ?  . 

I  have  followed  Mr.  Lowe  in  considering  the  Blanquilla  Parrot 
to  be  rothschildi,  as  he  has  compared  his  specimens  with  the  type 
from  Bonaire  (Ibis,  1909,  p.  330),  but  in  the  series  before  me  none  of 
the  characters  given  as  distinguishing  that  species  are  constant,  and 
no  two  specimens  exactly  agree  as  to  the  markings,  although  they 
were  all  taken  at  practically  the  same  time.  Some  specimens  have 
the  yellow  throat,  while  in  others  it  is  entirely  absent;  still  others 
have  a  little  yellow  on  the  chin.  The  greenish  bar  on  sides  of  chin, 


224     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

extending  to  the  lower  mandible,  is  also  very  variable,  being  clearly 
marked  in  some  and  absent  in  others;  one  specimen  has  green  on  one 
side  and  yellow  on  the  other.  The  amount  of  scarlet  red  on  the  cubital 
edge  of  the  wing  is  also  variable,  and  to  further  complicate  matters 
I  cannot  separate  Blanquilla  specimens  from  those  from  Margarita, 
where  it  is  claimed  A.  ochroptera  occurs.  All  of  the  specimens  from 
Blanquilla  and  Margarita  have  the  forehead  whitish,  shading  into 
bright  yellow  on  the  crown  and  having  the  concealed  basal  portion 
of  the  feathers  salmon-red.  Two  specimens  have  a  few  scattered 
bluish  feathers  mixed  with  the  yellowish  white  on  the  forehead. 

Compared  with  the  few  specimens  of  supposed  ochroptera  from 
Aruba  and  the  mainland,  which  I  have  examined,  the  Blanquilla 
and  Margarita  birds  differ  sufficiently  to  entitle  them  to  at  least  sub- 
specific  recognition,  but  all  these  differences  may  be  due  to  age,  a 
matter  that  can  only  be  decided  by  comparison  with  a  good  series  of 
ochroptera  in  various  stages  of  plumage.  Furthermore,  should  the 
characters  given  rothschildi  prove  constant  and  the  Bonaire  bird 
never  assume  the  yellow  throac,  etc.,  the  Blanquilla  and  Margarita 
birds  (assuming  that  they  prove  different  from  ochroptera)  will  require 
a  new  name;  but  for  the  present,  at  least,  and  until  sufficient  material 
is  available  to  definitely  settle  the  matter,  it  would  seem  best  to  as- 
sume that  the  Bonaire  bird  does  occasionally  assume  a  yellow  throat 
and  is  not  separable  from  birds  from  Blanquilla  and  Margarita. 

Mr.  Ferry  writes:  "These  birds  were  common  in  a  grove  on  the 
westerly  end  of  Blanquilla,  and  according  to  the  natives  it  is  found 
on  no  other  part  of  the  island." 


Family  Alcecliiiiclse. 

Ceryle  alcyon   (Linn.). 

Recorded  by  Mr.  Lowe  (Ibis,  1909,  p.  317).     It  was  not  observed 
by  Mr.    Ferry. 

Family  Trochilidae. 

Chrysolampis  mosquitus   (Linn.). 

2   specimens,    i    $  ,    i  ? 

Doleromya  pallida  Richmond. 

4  specimens,  3  d\   i    ? 

Cannot  be  distinguished  from  specimens   from   Margarita. 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  225 

Family  Tyranniclse. 

Tyrannus  dominicensis  (Gmel.}. 

Recorded  by  Mr.  Lowe  (Ibis,  1909,  p.  330);  not  taken  by  Mr. 
Ferry. 

Myiarchus  tyrannulus  brevipennis  (Hartert). 

Recorded  by  Mr.  Lowe  (Ibis,  1909,  p.  330);  not  taken  by  Mr. 
Ferry. 

Family  Friiigillidse. 

Tiaris  johnstonei   (Lowe). 

Euethia  johnstonei  Lowe,  Bull.  Brit.  Orn.  Club,  Vol.  XIX,  1906, 
p.  6.  Id.  Ibis,  1907,  p.  120. 

6  specimens,  3  cT,  3  9.     The  characters  described  by  Mr.  Lowe 
seem  constant. 

Family  Miiio til  till se. 

Dendroica  ruficapilla  rufopileata  Ridgw. 

ii  specimens,  7  6\  2  9  ,  2  ?  ;   common. 

See  remarks  regarding  these  birds  under  Orchilla,  page  218. 

Family  Mimidse. 

Mimus  gilvus  rostratus  Ridgw. 

7  specimens,  3  cJ',  3  9,   i    ? 

Blanquilla  specimens  appear  to  be  intermediate  between  gilvus 
and  rostratus. 

LOS  HERMANOS  ISLANDS. 

A  group  of  seven  islands  situated  about  ten  miles  east  of  Bla'n- 
quilla  and  45  miles  north  of  the  northwest  point  of  Margarita  Island. 
The  largest  is  Orquilla,  which  rises  to  a  height  of  650  feet.  Vege- 
tation consists  of  cacti,  agaves,  coarse  grass  and  mangroves.  Mr. 
Ferry  remained  but  one  day  on  Orquilla  (February  8,  1909)  and  found 
land  birds  confined  to  a  few  species,  but  he  writes  that  sea  birds  nest 
there  in  great  numbers,  principally  Terns  and  Gannets.  These 
islands  had  been  previously  visited  by  Mr.  P.  R.  Lowe,  the  results 
of  his  investigations  being  given  in  his  paper,  "Notes  on  some  Birds 
collected  during  a  Cruise  in  the  Caribbean  Sea."  (Ibis,  1909,  p.  323.) 


226    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

Family  Laridae. 
Sterna  fuliginosa  Gmel. 

2  specimens  taken,  i  cT,  i  9  . 

Mr.  Ferry  found  this  species  breeding  in  large  numbers  at  the 
time  of  his  visit  (February  8). 

Anous  stolidus  (Linn.}. 

3  specimens,  2  d\  i  9   ;    breeding. 


Family  Phaethontidap. 

Phaethon  aethereus  Linn. 

Mr.  Ferry  found  this  species  common,  but  did  not  procure  speci- 
mens. Mr.  Lowe  states,  "We  found  numbers  of  these  beautiful  birds 
breeding  in  holes  among  the  broken  masses  of  rocks  which  were 
strewn  everywhere  on  the  steep  slopes  of  the  island,  but  not  until 
we  reached  an  altitude  of  about  300  feet.  No  attempt  at  making 
any  sort  of  nest  is  made."  (Ibis,  1909,  p.  327.) 


Family  Sulidpe. 

Sula  cyanops  (Sundev.}. 

Mr.  Ferry  found  this  species  common  and  breeding.  Two  speci- 
mens were  taken,  an  adult  male  and  female.  Mr.  P.  R.  Lowe  gives 
the  colors  of  soft  parts  of  fresh  birds  as  follows :  "  Tarsi  greenish  drab ; 
webs  and  feet  dirty  yellowish  drab.  Gular  sac  of  an  India  ink  color ; 
bill  greenish  yellow;  iris  yellow."  (Ibis,  1909,  p.  324.  ) 

Sula  piscator  (Linn.}. 

Mr.  Lowe  found  the  Red-footed  Booby  in  greater  numbers  on 
this  island  than  either  of  the  other  species.  Restates:  "The  nest  is 
formed  of  twigs,  grass,  and  sticks  very  roughly  put  together  and  is 
ludicrously  small  in  comparison  with  the  size  of  the  bird.  It  is  in- 
variably placed  in  either  mangrove  or  sea-grape  bushes.  By  far  the 
greater  number  of  nests  were  occupied  by  birds  in  the  white-tailed 
stage  of  plumage,  entirely  white  birds  of  the  adult  stage  being  very 
scarce.  One  egg  only  is  laid."  (Ibis,  1909,  p.  325.) 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  227 

Sula  leucogastra  (Bodd.). 

Sula  sula  Lowe,  Ibis,  1909,  p.  324. 

Common.  No  examples  of  this  species  were  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry, 
but  Mr.  Lowe  found  it  abundant  and  nesting;  he  says:  "The  nests 
were  invariably  situated  on  the  bare  rocks  and  lined  with  a  few  pieces 
of  grass  or  twigs.  The  color  of  the  soft  parts  of  this  Gannet  were 
taken  on  the  spot  and  are  as  follows :  Tarsi  and  upper  surface  of  webs 
bright  chrome  yellow;  under  surface  of  webs  greenish  yellow;  gular 
sac  bright  chrome  yellow;  bill  yellow  at  base,  shading  off  into  bluish 
gray;  iris  pale  gray;  eyelids  edged  with  bright  blue,  a  patch  of  dark 
bluish  green  immediately  in  front  of  the  eye."  (Ibis,  1909,  p.  324.) 


Family  Fregaticlae. 

Fregata  aquila  (Linn.}. 

A  number  of  these  birds  were  seen  by  Mr.  Ferry,  but  none  were 
taken.  Mr.  Lowe  at  the  time  of  his  visit  found  it  abundant  and 
breeding  on  the  island  and  gives  some  interesting  notes  concerning 
its  habits.  (Ibis,  1909,  p.  325.) 


Family  Columbidpe. 

Chaemepelia  passerina  perpallida   (Hartert). 
3  specimens,  2  d\  i  9. 

Family  Falcoiiidre. 

Falco  peregrinus  anatum   (Bonap.). 

Recorded  by  Mr.  Lowe.     (Ibis,  1909,  p.  324.) 

Family  Ictericlse. 

Three  specimens  of  an  apparently  new  form  of  Holoquiscalus  were 
taken  by  Mr.  Ferry  on  Orquilla  (Los  Hermanos),  which  I  propose 
to  name: 

Holoquiscalus  orquillensis  sp.    nov. 

Type  No.  37090,  Field  Museum  of  Natural   History   (Orquilla). 

Adult  male:  Similar  to  H.  insularis  from  Margarita,  but  differs 
in  having  the  middle  tail  feathers  almost  plain  black,  not  decidedly 


228     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

glossed  with  green  as  in  that  species,  rest  of  tail  feathers  showing  a 
slight  greenish  gloss,  but  much  less  than  in  insularis.  The  single 
female  taken  apparently  does  not  differ  from  specimens  from  Mar- 
garita. 

Wing,  4.70  (118.3  mm.);  tail,  4.15  (105  mm.);  tarsus,  1.15 
(29.2  mm.);  exposed  culmen,  1.06  (26.7  mm.). 

Mr.  Ferry  informs  me  that  it  is  common  on  Orquilla,  but  whether 
it  is  found  on  other  islands  of  Los  Hermanos  group  he  is  unable  to 
say,  as  he  did  not  visit  them.  He  observed  no  species  of  Holoquis- 
calus  on  Blanquilla. 

Family  Friiigillidse. 
Tiaris  johnstonei   (Lowe). 

A  single  adult  male  of  this  species  was  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry,  which 
apparently  does  not  differ  from  Blanquilla  specimens.  Mr.  Lowe 
also  procured  specimens  on  this  island  (Ibis,  1909,  p.  328). 


Family  Mimidse. 

Margarops  fuscatus  (Vieill.'}. 

Mr.  Ferry  did  not  find  this  West  Indian  species  either  here  or 
on  Bonaire.  Mr.  P.  R.  Lowe  procured  three  specimens  on  Orquilla 
(Los  Hermanos)  at  an  altitude  of  from  400  to  600  feet  (Ibis,  1909, 
p.  328). 

TESTIGOS  ISLANDS. 

Los  Testigos  are  a  group  of  islands  situated  forty  miles  from  the 
coast  of  Venezuela  and  about  fifty  miles  from  Margarita  Island. 
The  largest  is  known  as  Testigo  Grande  and  is  about  three  miles  long 
and  400  feet  or  more  in  height.  Mr.  Ferry's  stay  was  limited  to  three 
days  (February  12-14,  1909).  He  writes  that  he  found  these  islands 
far  more  heavily  wooded  than  any  of  the  others  visited,  except 
Margarita.  Good-sized  trees  of  several  varieties  were  common,  and 
there  was  an  abundance  of  bushes  and  various  species  of  cacti  and 
wild  cotton.  Snakes  and  land  tortoises  were  rather  common,  and 
also  a  species  of  Lepus.  Mr.  P.  R.  Lowe,  who  had  previously  visited 
these  islands,  states:  "Testigo  Grande  is  thickly  wooded  and  covered 
with  very  varied  vegetation,  in  spite  of  the  waterless  condition  in 
which  we  found  it.  Many  of  the  trees  attain  quite  respectable  pro- 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  229 

portions,  and  there  seemed  to  me  to  be  an  unusual  variety.  Besides 
many  that  were  unknown  to  me,  I  noticed  Logwood,  West  Indian 
"Birch,"  Guiaicum,  Acacia,  Tamarind,  and  Manchineel.  Various 
kinds  of  Cactus  grow  on  the  lower  slopes  and  on  the  smaller  islets, 
and  there  is  a  great  profusion  of  flowering  bushes  and  even  flowering 
plants.  Wild  cotton  grows  in  abundance.  *  *  *  Geologically 
they  consist  of  masses  of  coarse-grained  granite  (hornblende),  enor- 
mous fragments  of  which,  much  weathered,  may  be  seen  here  and 
there  among  the  surrounding  vegetation."  (Ibis,  1909,  p.  312.) 
Both  Mr.  Ferry  and  Mr.  Lowe  comment  upon  the  unusual  abundance 
of  butterflies. 

ORNITHOLOGICAL    BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

1908.  LOWE,  P.  R.     Bull.  Brit.  Orn.  Club,  Vol.  XXI,  1908,  p.  108 

(Description  of  Coereba  laurce). 

1909.  LOWE,  P.  R.     Notes  on  some  Birds  collected  during  a  Cruise 

in  the  Caribbean  Sea.     Ibis,  1909,  p.  312. 


Family  Pelecanidse. 

Pelecanus  occidentalis  Linn. 

Brown  Pelecans  were  seen  by  Mr.  Ferry,  but  none  were  taken. 

Family  Sulidae. 

Sula  leucogastra  (Bodd.}. 

Sula  sula  Lowe,  Ibis,   1909,  p.  315. 

Found  breeding  by  Mr.  Lowe  on  the  smaller  islands  in  large  num- 
bers (1.  c.) ;  also  noted  by  Mr.  Ferry,  but  no  specimens  were  taken. 

Sula  piscator  (Linn.}. 

Mr.  Lowe  found  this  Gannet  breeding  on  the  smaller  islands  of 
the  group.  (Ibis,  1909,  p.  316.)  It  was  also  noted  by  Mr.  Ferry. 

Family  Fregatidae. 

Fregata  aquila   (Linn.}. 

Mr.  Ferry  found  this  species  common,  but  no  specimens  were 
taken.  At  the  time  of  Mr.  Lowe's  visit  to  these  islands  he  found  it 
breeding  in  large  numbers. 


230    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

Family  Ardeidse. 
Ardea  herodias  Linn. 

Mr.  Lowe  observed  several  of  these  Herons  on  the  islands.     (Ibis, 
1909,  p.  315.)     It  was  not  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry. 


Family  Scolopacidae. 
Pisobia  minutilla   (Vieill.}. 

Limonites  minutilla   Lowe,  Ibis,  1909,  p.  315. 
Recorded  as  common  by  Mr.  Lowe. 


Family  Aphrizidse. 
Arenaria  interpres  morinella  (Linn.). 

Several  flocks  seen  by  Mr.  Lowe  on  Testigo  Grande.     (Ibis,  1909, 
P-  3IS-) 

Family  Haematopodidae. 
Haematopus  palliatus  Temm. 

A  pair  seen  and  one  shot  by  Mr.  Lowe.     (Ibis,  1909,  p.  314.) 


Family  Columbidse. 
Leptotila  verreauxi  (Bonap.'). 

3  specimens  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry,  all  females. 

Chuemepelia  passerina  perpallida   (Harterf). 

7  specimens  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry,  5  d\  2  ?  ,  which  seem  to  agree 
with  those  from  the  other  islands.  Mr.  Lowe  states  that  "the  color 
of  the  bill  at  the  base  varies  in  both  sexes  from  orange  to  yellow, 
according  to  age."  (Ibis,  1909,  p.  314.) 


Family  Falconidse. 

Buteo  platypterus   (Vieill.). 

Buteo  latissimus  Lowe,  Ibis,  1909,  p.  313. 

A  bird  supposed  to  be  of  this  species  was  observed  by  Mr.  Lowe. 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  231 

Family  Strigidse. 

Two   unidentified  Owls  were   seen   by  Mr.    Lowe.      (Ibis,    1909, 
P-  3i3-) 

Family  Alcediiiidte. 

Ceryle  alcyon   (Linn.). 

Several  birds  of  this  species  were  seen  by  Mr.  Lowe   on  Testigo 
Grande.     It  was  not  noted  by  Mr.  Ferry. 


Family  Trochilidae. 

Chrysolampis  mosquitus   (Linn.). 

Mr.  Lowe  found  this  species  on  one  of  the  smaller  islands  of  the 
group,  but  did  not  observe  it  on  Testigo  Grande.     (Ibis,  1909,  p.  317.) 


Family  Tyraimidfe. 

Myiarchus  tyrannulus   (Mull.). 

5  specimens  taken,  2  cT,  3  9 ,  all  of  which  agree  very  well  in  size 
and  coloration  with  birds  from  Margarita. 


Family  Icteridse. 

Holoquiscalus  insularis   (Richmond). 

1 8  specimens,  n  d\  7  9. 

I  cannot  agree  with  Mr.  Lowe  in  considering  the  bird  which  is 
found  on  Los  Testigos  to  be  H .  luminosus.  While  the  variation  in 
size  and  terminal  decurvature  of  the  bill  is  considerable,  specimens 
occur  which  agree  fairly  well  with  insularis,  and  the  female  is  nearer 
in  coloration  to  that  species  and  may  be  readily  distinguished  from 
females  of  H.  luminosus  from  Grenada,  as  represented  in  the  series 
in  this  Museum.  Birds  from  Testigos  Islands  seem  to  be  inter- 
mediate between  insularis  and  luminosus  and  may  represent  a  slightly 
differentiated  form;  but  it  would  seem  undesirable  to  cumber  orni- 
thological nomenclature  with  a  name  based  upon  slight  and  apparently 
inconstant  characters. 


232     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

The  measurements  of  18  specimens  are  as  follows: 
ii  males,  wing,  4.60  to  4.75;   tail,  4.45  to  4.55;    culmen,  1.12 
to    i . 20. 

7  females,  wing,  4  to  4. 10 ;  tail,  3.75^3.85;  culmen,  i  to  1.08. 


Family  Crerebidse. 
Coereba  I  aura;  Lowe. 

Coereba  lauras  Lowe,  Bull.  Brit.  Orn.  Club,  Vol.  XXI,  1908,  p.  108. 

1 1  specimens  of  this  interesting  black  form  of  Coereba  were  taken, 
6  d\  4  9  ,  i  ?.  It  is  apparently  closely  allied  to  C.  wellsi,  but  differs, 
according  to  Mr.  Lowe,  "chiefly  on  account  of  the  fact  that  the  bright 
crimson  and  tumid  rectus  which  is  so  conspicuous  an  object  in  the 
St.  Vincent  and  Grenada  birds  is  in  this  form  entirely  absent.  The 
bill  is  also  less  curved."  (Ibis,  1909,  p.  320.) 

In  the  specimens  before  me  there  is  no  indication  of  a  soft  col- 
ored rectus  at  base  of  the  bill,  while  it  is  clearly  indicated  in  dried 
skins  of  C.  lowii  from  Los  Roques. 

Family  Miiiotiltidae. 
Dendroica  ruficapilla  rufopileata  Ridgw. 

7  specimens,  5  <5\  2  9  .     These  birds  have  the  crown  patch  fully 
as  dark  as  in  D.  capitalis  from  Barbados,  but  the  under  parts  are 
streaked  as  in   rufopileata. 

See  remarks  under  Orchilla,  page  218. 

Family  Mimidse. 

Mimus  gilvus  rostratus  Ridgw. 

8  specimens,  6  cT,  2  9  ,  which  in  size  of  bill  and  coloration  seem  to 
be  intermediate  between  gilvus  and  rostratus. 


MARGARITA  ISLAND. 

The  Island  of  Margarita  is  too  well  known  to  warrant  more  than 
a  brief  description  in  a  paper  of  this  character.  Lying  some  seven- 
teen miles  from  the  mainland,  it  consists  of  two  mountains  connected 
by  a  narrow  stretch  of  arid  low  land,  a  part  of  which  contains  a  large 
salt  lagoon  bordered  by  a  heavy  growth  of  mangroves.  The  eastern 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  233 

mountain  is  3240  feet  in  height  and  is  known  as  Mount  Margarita, 
the  western  one  being  named  Cerros  de  Macanao  and  having  an  ele- 
vation of  but  2304  feet.  The  summits  are  barren,  but  the  lower 
portions  are  covered  with  a  luxuriant  tropical  vegetation  and  there 
are  numerous  plantations  of  cocoanut  and  fruit  trees.  The  island 
is  about  37  miles  in  length  and  has  an  area  of  about  440  square 
miles.  The  population  is  variously  estimated  at  from  20,000  to 
39,000. 

Mr.  Ferry  devoted  a  month  to  Margarita  (February  17  to  March 
21,  1909,)  and  procured  a  fine  series  of  birds,  including  several  novel- 
ties and  a  number  of  species  not  previously  recorded  from  the  island. 


ORNITHOLOGICAL    BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

Practically  nothing  was  written  regarding  the  avifauna  of  Mar- 
garita prior  to  1895,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  brief  notes  by  various 
travelers,  references  to  which  are  given  by  Mr.  Wirt  Robinson,  Proc. 
U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  pp.  651,  652. 
1895.     RICHMOND,  C.  W.      Description    of    three    new    Birds     from 

the  Island  of  Margarita,  Venezuela.     The  Auk,  Vol.  XII, 

1895,  pp.  367-371- 
1895.     ROBINSON,  W.,  AND  RICHMOND,  C.  W.     An    annotated  List 

of  Birds  observed  on  the  Island  of  Margarita  and  at  Guanta 

and  Laguayra,  Venezuela  (with  map).      Proc.  U.  S.  Nat. 

Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  pp.  649-685. 
1902.     CLARK,  A.  H.     The   Birds   of  Margarita    Island,    Venezuela. 

Auk,  Vol.  XIX,  1902,  pp.  258-267. 
1907.     LOWE,  P.   R.     On  the  Birds  of  Margarita  Island,  Venezuela. 

Ibis,   1907,  pp.   547-570. 


BIRDS  OF  MARGARITA. 

Family  Laridse. 

Larus  atricilla  Linn. 

Not  uncommon.     Mr.   Ferry  shot  one  specimen,    cT,    in    March. 
Both  Captain  Robinson  and  Mr.  Clark  found  it  common  in  July. 

Phaethusa  magnirostris   (Licht.). 

Captain  Robinson  states,  "A  few  were  seen  along  the  beaches  of 
Margarita."      (Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  653.) 


234    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

Sterna  eurygnatha   Saunders. 

Given  by  Captain  Robinson  as  "common  along  the  beaches." 
Mr.  Ferry  did  not  find  this  species  at  Margarita,  but  he  obtained  a 
specimen  at  Aruba. 

Sterna  antillarum   (Less.). 

Captain  Robinson  found  this  species  abundant  in  July.  (Proc. 
U.  S.  Nat,  Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  653.) 


Family  Ryiichopidse. 

Rhynchops  nigra  Linn. 

Both  Captain  Robinson  and  Mr.  Clark  found  this  species  at  Mar- 
garita in  July.      None  were  taken  or  observed  by  Mr.  Ferry  in  January. 


Family  Procellariidse. 

Oceanites  oceanicus   (Kuhl). 

Recorded  by  Mr.  Clark,  who  states,  "On  July  2  a  flock  of  about 
two  dozen  of  these  birds  came  about  the  boat  in  which  I  was  crossing 
from  the  mainland."  (Auk,  1902,  p.  260.) 


Family  Sulidse. 

Sula  leucogastra  (Bodd.). 

Mr.  Clark  observed  what  he  believed  to  be  this  species  between 
Margarita  and  the  mainland.  (Auk,  1902,  p.  260.) 

Sula  piscator  (Linn.). 

Mr.  Clark  states,  "Midway  between  the  mainland  and  the  island 
a  few  small  white  Gannets,  probably  Sula  piscator  Vieillot,  appeared." 
(Auk,  1902,  p.  260.) 


Family  Phalacrocoracidse. 

Phalacrocorax  vigua   (Vie ill.}. 

2  specimens,  both  females.     This  is  probably  the  species  seen  by 
both  Captain  Robinson  and  Mr.  Clark.     "Locally  common"  (Ferry). 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  235 

Family  Pelecanidae. 

Pelecanus  occidentalis  Linn. 

Pelecanus  fuscus  of  authors. 

Given  as  common  by  Captain  Robinson  and  Mr.  Clark.  Mr. 
Ferry  found  it  common  in  February  and  March,  but  no  specimens 
were  taken. 

Family  Fregatidse. 

Fregata  aquila  (Linn.}. 

Given  as  common  by  Mr.  Ferry,  Mr.  Clark  and  Captain  Robinson. 


Family  Anatidie. 

Dendrocygna   sp.    ? 

Not  observed  by  Mr.  Ferry  or  Mr.  Clark,  but  Captain  Robinson 
states:  "In  the  lagoon  at  the  southeast  extremity  of  the  island,  I 
saw  a  flock  of  a  half  dozen  tree  ducks,  but  I  was  unable  to  approach 
within  range.  They  flew  off  toward  the  mainland."  (Proc.  U.  S. 
Nat.  Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  655.) 


Family  Phoenicopteridae. 

Phoenicopterus  ruber  Linn. 

Recorded  by  Mr.  Lowe.     (Ibis,  1907,  p.  550.) 


Family  Plataleidse. 

Ajaia  ajaia  (Linn.}. 

i  specimen,  9  ,  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry. 


Family  Ibididse. 
Quara  rubra   (Linn.}. 

i  specimen,  9  ,  taken;  others  were  seen.  "The  natives  reported 
this  species  as  quite  common  in  the  mangrove  swamps  bordering  the 
lagoon."  (Ferry.) 


236    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY — ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

Family  Ardeidse. 
Ardea  occidentalis  Aud. 

Mr.  Lowe  states:  "An  example  of  Ardea  occidentalis  was  caught 
alive  and  liberated."  (Ibis,  1907,  p.  554.) 

Ardea  herodias  Linn. 

Mr.  Lowe  procured  a  specimen  on  Margarita  Island,  January  6, 
1904.  (Ibis,  1907,  p.  554.) 

Herodias  egretta  (Gmel.}. 

Recorded  from  Margarita  Island  by  Mr.  Lowe.  (Ibis,  1907, 
P-  554-) 

Egretta  candidissima   (Gmel.). 

Leucophoyx  candidissima  Lowe,  Ibis,   1907,  p.   554. 

Also  recorded  from  Margarita  by  Messrs.  Robinson  and  Clark. 

Florida  cserulea   (Linn.). 

Recorded  by  Mr.  Lowe.      (Ibis,  1907,  p.  550.) 

Hydranassa  tricolor  ruficollis   (Gosse). 

3  specimens,  i  <5\  2  9  ,    taken  by  Mr.  Ferry. 

Butorides  virescens  robinsoni   (Richmond). 

Butorides  robinsoni  Richmond,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII, 
1895,  p.  655. 

Seen  but  not  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry. 

Nycticorax  nycticorax  mevius   (Bodd.). 

i  specimen,  a  female,  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry.  It  had  not  previously 
been  recorded  from  Margarita. 

Nyctanassa  violacea  (Linn.}. 

i  specimen,  9  ,  being,  as  far  as  I  am  aware,  the  first  record  of  its 
occurrence  on  the  island.  Mr.  Ferry  also  obtained  a  bird  of  this 
species  on  Islas  de  Aves. 


Family  Scolopacidse. 

Pisobia  minutilla    (Vieill.). 

Limonites  minutilla    Lowe,   Ibis,   1907,  p.   553. 

Not  uncommon,     i  specimen,  9,  taken  March  12  by  Mr.  Ferry; 
also  taken  by  Mr.  Lowe,  January  6,   1904. 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  237 

Ereunetes  pusillus   (Linn.). 

i  specimen,  9,  March  12,  1909. 

Ereunetes  tnauri   (Caban.). 

Ereunetes  occidentalis  Robinson  and  Richmond,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat. 
Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  656. 

Taken  by  Captain  Robinson,  July  7. 

Calidris  leucophaea   (Pallas). 

Calidris  arenaria  Robinson  and  Richmond,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  656. 

Taken  by  Captain  Robinson,  July  7. 

Totanus  flavipes  (Gmel.). 

Recorded  as  not  uncommon  by  Mr.  Lowe,  who  procured  speci- 
mens, March  23,  1906.  (Ibis,  1907,  p.  554.) 

Catoptrophorus  semipalmatus    (Gmel.). 

Symphemia  semipalmata  Lowe,  Ibis,   1907,  p.   553. 

Mr.  Ferry  took  a  female  of  this  species,  March  12,  1909.  Mr. 
Lowe  states  he  observed  several  flocks  of  these  birds  and  took  an 
adult  specimen,  March  24,  1906. 

Actitis  macularia   (Linn.}. 

Tringoides  macularius  Lowe,  Ibis,  1907,  p.  553. 
Taken  by  Mr.  Lowe,  January  6,  1904. 

Numenius  hudsonicus  Lath. 

3  specimens,  2  d\  i  ?  .    Not  previously  recorded  from  Margarita. 


Family  Characlriiclae. 

/Egialitis  semipalmata  Bonap. 

Recorded  by  Mr.  Lowe,  who  procured  an  adult  female,  January 
9,  1904.  (Ibis,  1907,  p.  553.)  It  was  also  taken  by  Captain  Robin- 
son in  July. 

/Egialitis  nivosa  Cass. 

Recorded  by  Messrs.  Robinson  and  Richmond,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat. 
Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  656.  Mr.  Robinson  obtained  a  specimen, 
July  2. 

/Egialitis  collaris  Vieill. 

Mr.  Robinson  found  this  species  common  along  the  beaches  in 
July.  (Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  657.) 


238     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

Ochthodromus  wilsonius  rufinuchus  (Ridgw.). 

Not  uncommon.     Five  specimens  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry,  2  d\  3  9  ; 
also  noted  by  Messrs.  Lowe,  Richmond,  and  Robinson. 


Family  Aphrizidse. 

Arenaria  interpres  morinella  (Linn.}. 

Arenaria  interpres  Robinson  and  Richmond,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  657  (July);  Clark,  Auk,  1902,  p.  260  (July). 

Not  recorded  by  Mr.  Ferry  in  February  and  March. 

Family  (Ediciiemidtt*. 

CEdicnemus  bistriatus  (Wagler). 

Captain  Robinson  states,  "In  a  courtyard  of  a  dwelling  in  Por- 
lamar,  I  saw  several  pairs  of  these  birds,  and  their  owner  told  me 
that  he  had  caught  them  when  not  fully  fledged  in  the  wide  savanna 
to  the  west  of  the  town."  (Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII,  1895, 
p.  656.) 

Family  Hrematopodidar. 

Hsematopus  palliatus   Temm. 

Recorded  by  Mr.  Lowe.     (Ibis,  1909,  p.  314.) 

Family  Odontophoridap. 

Eupsychortyx  pallidus  Richmond. 

9  specimens,  6  d\  3  9. 

"These  birds  were  found  in  abundance  at  Mocanao,  the  peninsula 
at  the  west  end  of  the  island,  and  in  riding  along  the  cactus-covered 
plains  from  Boca  del  Rio  (south  central  part  of  the  island)  we  saw 
several  flocks."  (Ferry.) 

I  have  examined  the  type  (taken  July  2)  described  by  Dr.  Rich- 
mond (Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1895,  p.  657)  and  compared  it  with  the 
specimens  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry  on  Margarita  in  February  and  March, 
and  they  are  strikingly  different  in  coloration.  Far  from  being  pale, 
they  are  distinctly  the  reverse,  being  fully  as  highly  colored  as  any 
of  the  allied  forms  from  the  mainland.  It  would  seem  probable  that 
the  difference  is  due  to  season,  as  it  is  unlikely  that  two  forms  of  the 
same  species  inhabiting  the  same  localities  would  be  found  on  Mar- 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY. 


239 


garita;  but  to  complicate  matters  Mr.  Lowe  procured  specimens  in 
January,  1904,  which  he  describes  as  much  paler  than  birds  from  the 
mainland  (Ibis,  1907,  p.  551).  Compared  with  birds  from  British 
Guiana  (March)  and  Caracas,  Venezuela  (March),  the  specimens 
from  Margarita  (March)  are  darker  and  the  markings,  especially  on 
the  under  parts  are  quite  different. 

In  the  six  males  now  before  me  the  breast  is  plain,  bright,  rufous 
chestnut  in  some  and  rufous  chestnut  tinged  with  vinaceous  in  others. 
All  the  specimens  show  a  black  collar,  but  some  have  the  throat  mixed 
black  and  rufous,  others  tawny  and  white,  while  one  has  the  throat 
plain  white.  On  the  lower  breast  and  upper  belly  the  feathers  are 
marked  with  black  and  white,  but  the  middle  portion  of  the  feather 
is  bright  rufous  chestnut,  not  dark  chestnut,  as  in  Venezuela  speci- 
mens, and  the  white  spots  are  larger  and  fewer  in  number.  On  the 
upper  parts  the  back  and  scapulary  feathers  show  more  deep  chestnut 
than  birds  from  British  Guiana  and  Venezuela  and  the  crest  is  longer 
and  somewhat  paler.  The  Margaritan  bird  approaches  nearer  in 
coloration  to  E.  parvicristatus  than  to  E.  sonnini,  but  the  general 
markings  are  somewhat  different  and  the  crest  is  longer  and  paler. 

The  differences  between  the  Margaritan  bird  and  E.  cristatus 
(Linn.}  from  Aruba  and  Curasao  are  so  pronounced  that  comparison 
is  not  necessary. 

The  measurements  of  eight  specimens  from  Margarita  are  as 
follows : 


cf  wing, 

4 

.05; 

tail,  2 

•5° 

; 

•7\               II 

4 

20; 

2  . 

55 

', 

c? 

* 

* 

4 

,  12  ; 

"       2 

•5° 

\ 

..v 

« 

* 

4 

05; 

"       2 

.48 

', 

7 

1 

1 

4 

IS! 

2 

45 

', 

:"• 

* 

* 

4 

.05; 

2 

•So 

i 

9 

• 

1 

4 

; 

"       2  . 

5° 

\ 

9 

1 

* 

4 

•05; 

"       2 

•45 

", 

bill, 


•05 


,02 


so; 

crest  feathers,  i 

.  10 

5°; 

i 

.  12 

48; 

i 

•15 

5°; 

i 

•  15 

50; 

i 

.18 

52; 

i 

.  20 

48; 

i 

48; 

i 

•05 

Family  Cracicl?e. 

Ortalis  ruficauda  Jardine. 

i  specimen,  9  ,  taken  March  5,  1909. 

"These  birds  are  common  locally  throughout  the  mountainous 
portion  of  the  island  and  are  found  at  an  altitude  where  humid  con- 
ditions are  met.  They  are  extremely  shy."  (Ferry.) 


240    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

Captain  Robinson  saw  specimens  of  this  bird  in  captivity  on  Mar- 
garita, but  he  did  not  obtain  specimens  in  the  wild  state.  As  far 
as  I  am  aware,  it  has  not  previously  been  taken  by  a  collector  from 
this  locality. 

In  the  single  specimen  before  me  the  sides  of  the  body  and  under 
tail  coverts  are  clear  red  brown,  not  tawny  rufous  brown  as  in  speci- 
mens I  have  examined  from  Tobago,  and  the  ends  of  the  tail  feathers 
are  darker  rufous  brown,  otherwise  it  is  apparently  similar  to  birds 
from  that  island.  I  have  not  been  able  to  compare  it  with  specimens 
from  Venezuela. 

Family  ColumbicUe. 
Columba  gymnophthalma   Temm. 

2  specimens,  i  d\  i  9. 

Leptotila  verreauxi  (Bonap.}. 

Leptotila  insularis  Robinson  and  Richmond,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat. 
Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  659.  Clark,  Auk,  XIX,  1902,  p.  261. 

3  specimens,  2  d\  i   9. 

I  cannot  distinguish  specimens  from  Margarita  from  those  from 
the  mainland  or  from  Trinidad,  and  cannot  agree  with  Dr.  Richmond 
in  recognizing  the  island  form  as  separable.  Mr.  Lowe  describes  the 
colors  of  the  soft  parts  in  the  fresh  state  as,  "Circumorbital  space 
bright  cobalt-blue.  Iris  dirty  yellow.  Bill  uniformly  black;  tarsi 
and  feet  reddish  pink."  (Ibis,  1907,  p.  552.) 

Zenaida  vinaceo=rufa  Ridgway. 

Recorded  from  Margarita  by  Robinson  and  Richmond  (Proc.  U.  S. 
Nat.  Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  658).  Not  observed  by  Mr.  Ferry. 

Chaemepelia  passerina  perpallida   (Hartert). 
13  specimens,  5  d\  8  9. 
These  birds  are  apparently  similar  to  those  from  the  other  islands. 

Chaemepelia  rufipennis  Bonap. 

Recorded  by  Captain  Robinson  and  Mr.  Clark.  Mr.  Ferry  did 
not  procure  specimens,  but  writes,  "Several  of  these  birds  were  seen 
at  an  altitude  of  about  1800  feet  in  a  very  dry  forested  hillside." 

Scardafella  ridgwayi  Richmond. 

Scardafella  ridgwayi  Richmond,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Vol. 
XVIII,  1895,  p.  660. 

19  specimens,  10  cT,  9  9. 

This  well-marked  form  is  reported  very  common  on   Margarita. 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  241 


Family  Cathartidae. 

Cathartes  aura  (Linn.). 

Recorded  as  common  by  Captain  Robinson  (Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  661);  also  noted  by  Messrs.  Lowe  and  Clark. 
Mr.  Ferry  informs  me  he  found  it  common  on  the  island;  but  no 
specimens  were  taken. 

Catharista  urubu  (VieilL). 

Catharista  atrata  of  authors. 

Mr.  Ferry  found  this  species  common  at  sea-level,  but  only  occa- 
sionally at  higher  altitudes.  No  specimens  were  taken. 

Given  by  Mr.  Clark  as  abundant  near  Porlamar.  "Abundant 
everywhere."  (Robinson.) 


Family  Falcoiiidas 

Buteo  albicaudatus  Vieill. 

i   specimen,  d\ 

"Distributed  throughout  the  island,  but  nowhere  common; 
usually  one  pair  to  a  locality.  On  March  i ,  found  a  nest  containing 
three  eggs  in  the  northeastern  portion  of  the  island.  The  nest  was 
built  on  the  outer  branch  of  an  acacia  tree.  Incubation  was  far 
advanced;  the  female  was  very  wild  but  I  was  able  to  secure  the 
male.  The  crop  was  full  of  grasshoppers."  (Ferry.)  The  eggs  are 
soiled  white  and  measure  2.25  x  i  .80  in. 

Falco  sparverius  isabellinus   (Swains.}. 

Falco  sparverius  Robinson  and  Richmond,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  661.  Clark,  Auk,  1902,  p.  261. 

Cerchneis  isabellina  Lowe,  Ibis,  1907,  p.  556. 

6  specimens,  4  cT,  2  ?  . 

The  four  males  are  all  adult  and  have  the  top  of 'the  head  blue 
gray,  without  rufous,  and  the  under  parts  unspotted.  • 

Males,       wing,  6.75  to  7        ;  tail,  4.85  to  5.10;  tarsus,  1.20 

Females,      "      7.25^7.50;     "     5.25  ;       "        1.25 

Gampsonyx  swainsoni  Vigors. 

Mr.  Ferry  procured  a  single  specimen  of  this  species,  a  male,  taken 
at  Porlamar,  February  2,  1909.  Mr.  Clark  found  it  common  at  El 
Valle  in  the  summer  of  1901  (Auk,  1902,  p.  261). 


242     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

Polyborus  cheriway  (Jacq.}. 

i  specimen,  9  ,  taken  March  g;   others  seen. 


Family  Strigiclse. 

Speotyto  brachyptera  Richmond. 

Speotyto  brachyptera  Richmond,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII, 
1895,  p.  663. 

i  specimen,  9  . 

Pisorhina  choliba  (Vieill.). 

Megascops  choliba  Berlepsch,  Bull.  Brit.  Orn.  Club,  Vol.  XII, 
1902,  p.  9. 

Megascops  brasilianus  Robinson  and  Richmond,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat. 
Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII,  p.  662,  Clark,  Auk,  1902,  p.  262. 

Pisorhina  choliba  Lowe,  Ibis,   1907,  p.   556. 

3  specimens,  2  cT,  i  9  ,  which  are  decidedly  smaller  and  paler  than 
those  I  have  examined  from  British  Guiana  and  Colombia.  Judging 
from  the  material  before  me,  the  Margaritan  birds  are  separable  at 
least  subspecifically,  but  from  lack  of  a  satisfactory  series  for  com- 
parison, I  refer  it  provisionally  to  this  species. 

Glaucidium  phalsenoides   (Daudin). 

Recorded  by  Captain  Robinson  and  Mr.  Clark.  It  was  not  taken 
or  observed  by  Mr.  Ferry. 

Aluco  sp.  ? 

Mr.  Ferry  saw  what  he  believed  to  be  a  species  of  Aluco  in  a  cave 
in  the  mountain  above  El  Valle,  but  the  bird  was  not  taken. 


Family  Psittacicla*. 

Amazona  ochroptera  rothschildi   (Harterf). 

Amazona  ochroptera  Lowe,  Ibis,  1907,  p.  557. 

4  specimens,  2  d\  i  9  ,  i  ?,  which  are  referred  provisionally  to  this 
form.      (See  remarks  under  Blanquilla,  page  223.) 

Amazona  amazonica   (Linn.). 

I  have  examined  a  specimen  of  this  species  in  the  collection  of 
the  Smithsonian  Institution,  taken  on  Margarita  by  Captain  Robinson 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  243 

in  July.  Mr.  Clark  also  found  it  not  uncommon  in  July  (Auk,  1902, 
p.  262),  but  it  was  not  observed  by  either  Mr.  Ferry  or  Mr.  Lowe, 
who  visited  the  island  in  February  and  March.  Strange  to  say,  both 
Mr.  Ferry  and  Mr.  Lowe  found  A.  ochroptera  rothschildi  not  uncom- 
mon, which  was  not  noted  by  Captain  Robinson  or  Mr.  Clark  later 
in  the  season.  Captain  Robinson  states,  "I  saw  many  large  flocks 
in  the  heavy  forest  in  rear  of  El  Valle."  (Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Vol. 
XVIII,  1895,  p.  664.) 

Conurus  seruginosus   (Linn.}. 

22  specimens,  10  d\  12  9. 

Mr.  Ferry  found  this  species  very  common  in  the  vicinity  of  Por- 
lamar.  It  appears  to  be  generally  distributed  throughout  the  lower 
portions  of  the  island. 

Conurus  neoxenus  sp.  nov. 

Type  No.  37454,  Field  Museum  of  Natural  History  (Margarita 
Island). 

Adult  male:  General  plumage  bright  green,  brightest  on  the  cheeks 
and  lores  and  palest  on  the  under  parts ;  forehead  and  front  of  head 
from  above  the  eye,  including  about  two-thirds  of  crown,  dull  blue; 
lesser  under  wing  coverts  green;  greater  under  wing  coverts  olive 
yellow;  quills  green  with  black  shafts;  the  greater  portion  of  the 
inner  we,bs  olive  yellow  on  basal  three-fourths;  terminal  portion  of 
inner  webs  edged  with  dusky  brown;  the  fourth,  fifth  and  sixth 
primaries  with  dark  tips  (from  %  to  >£  inch  in  length),  showing  a 
faint  bluish  tinge  near  the  ends;  under  surface  of  inner  webs  olive 
yellow;  the  outer  feathers  edged  with  dusky  brown  near  the  ends; 
upper  surface  of  two  middle  tail  feathers  green  with  dark  shafts; 
the  rest  have  the  greater  portion  of  the  inner  web  deep  red;  outer 
webs  and  ends  of  inner  webs  green.  These  colors  are  replaced  on 
the  under  surfaces  by  golden  olive  and  lighter  red.  Both  mandibles 
pale,  the  under  one  dark  near  the  edge. 

Length  (skin),  13  in.;  wing,  7.20;  tail,  7;  tarsus,  .55;  bill,  1.15. 

This  species  is  somewhat  similar  to  Conurus  hazmorrhous  from 
Brazil,  but  differs  in  the  darker  green  plumage,  wing  markings, 
extent  of  blue  on  the  head,  etc. 

Two  specimens,  a  male  and  a  female,  were  taken.  Mr.  Ferry 
informs  me  they  were  shot  March  n,  1909,  in  a  cactus  country  near 
Boca  del  Rio  in  the  south  central  portion  of  the  island. 


244    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

Family  Cuculidse. 

Crotophaga  ani  Linn. 

8  specimens,  3  d\  2  9,3  young. 

Diplopterus  nsevius    (Linn.}. 

Captain  Robinson  states:  "I  saw  several  pairs  of  these  birds  in 
the  small  thickets  on  the  partly  bare  hillsides  near  El  Valle,  and 
obtained  one  specimen."  (Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII,  1895, 
p.  665.)  It  has  not  been  recorded  by  other  writers  from  Margarita 
and  was  not  seen  by  Mr.  Ferry. 

Family  Buccoiiidre. 

Bucco  bicinctus   (Gould). 

7  specimens,  2  d\  5  9. 

"These  birds  were  distributed  throughout  the  island  and  are 
probably  common."  (Ferry.) 

Family  Alcediiiida*. 

Ceryle  torquata  (Linn.}. 

Recorded  by  Mr.  Lowe.     (Ibis,  1907,  p.  550.) 

Ceryle  alcyon   (Linn.}. 

Recorded  by  Mr.  Lowe.       (Ibis,  1907,  p.  550.) 

Family  Picidse. 

Melanerpes  subelegans  (Bonap.). 

Melanerpes  subelegans  Robinson  and  Richmond,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat. 
Mus.,  Vol..  XVIII,  1895,  p.  666.  Clark,  Auk,  1902,  p.  263.  Lowe, 
Ibis,  1907,  p.  560. 

13  specimens,  5  cT,  8  9.  Apparently  does  not  differ  from  speci- 
mens from  the  mainland. 

Family  Caprimulgidae. 

Chordeiles  acutipennis  (Bodd.}. 

Recorded  by  Mr.  Clark  (Auk,  1902,  p.  263)  and  Captain  Robinson 
(Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  668).  It  was  not  taken 
by  Mr.  Ferry. 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  245 

Stenopsis  cayennensis  (Gmel.). 

Stenopsis  cayennensis  Clark,  Auk,  1902,  p.  263.     Lowe,  Ibis,  1907, 

P-  558. 

Mr.  Ferry  procured  three  specimens  of  this  species,  2  females  and 
a  male ;  one  of  the  former  about  half  grown. 


Family  Micropodia*. 

Chaetura  cinereiventris  lawrencei  Ridgway. 

Recorded  by  Captain  Robinson,  who  took  a  specimen  at  El  Valle 
(Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus..  Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  668).  Swifts  supposed 
to  be  this  species  were  seen  by  Mr.  Lowe  (Ibis,  1907,  p.  550). 


Family  Trochilidse. 

Chrysolampis  mosquitus   (Linn.}. 

One  specimen,  an  immature  female,  was  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry  at 
La  Asuncion  March  5,  1909.  It  is  apparently  not  common  on  Mar- 
garita, as  Mr.  Lowe  obtained  only  one  of  this  species  (Ibis,  1907,  p. 
1 1 8).  It  was  not  obtained  by  Captain  Robinson  or  Mr.  Clark. 

Chlorostilbon  caribzeus  Lawr. 

4  specimens,  3  cT ,  i  9  .     Not  uncommon,  but  apparently  does  not 
differ  from  examples  of  this  species  from  other  localities. 

Doleromya  pallida  Richmond. 

Doleromya  pallida   Richmond,   Auk,    1895,   p.   369. 

14  specimens,  13  d\  i  ? 

This  well-marked  form  seems  to  be  common  throughout  the 
lower  parts  of  the  island.  Mr.  Ferry  found  it  very  common  in  the 
vicinity  of  Porlamar  and  Mr.  Lowe  gives  it  as  "Very  common  every- 
where in  the  cactus-scrub." 

Amazilia  aliciae  Richmond. 

Amazilia  alicia  Richmond,  Auk,  1895,  p.  670. 

5  specimens,  i  cT,  3  9  ,  i  ? 

Mr.  Ferry  procured  specimens  at  Porlamar  and  at  La  Asuncion. 
Mr.  Lowe  says:  "I  only  saw  this  bird  in  the  heights  above  El  Valle, 
among  the  tall  forest  trees."  (Ibis,  1907,  p.  558).  Captain  Robinson 
says:  "None  at  all  were  found  in  the  coast  region  and  only  a  few 
in  El  Valle;  but  in  ascending  the  heavily  wooded  mountains  in  rear, 


246     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

they  became  more  abundant  until,  when  I  had  reached  the  perpetual 
clouds  that  hung  about  the  peak  and  entered  an  atmospehre  of  mist, 
they  were  seen  in  all  directions."  (Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII, 
1895,  p.  670.) 

Family  TyrannicUe. 

Milvulus  tyrannus  (Linn.}. 

Captain  Robinson  found  this  species  common  in  July  (Proc. 
U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  672). 

Tyrannus  dominicensis   (Gmel.). 

Tyrannus  dominicensis  Robinson  &  Richmond,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat. 
Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  672.  Clark,  Auk,  1902,  p.  263. 

Mr.  Ferry  procured  a  pair  of  these  birds  at  La  Asuncion  and  others 
were  seen. 

Tyrannus  melancholicus  satrapa  (Cab.  &  Heine}. 
ii  specimens,  7  cT,  4  9. 

Myiarchus  tyrannulus  (Muller). 

1 6  specimens,  n  d\  4  9  ,  i   ? 

Sublegatus  glaber  Scl.  &  Salv. 

Sublegatus  arenarum  Lowe,  Ibis,  1907,  p.  562. 

9  specimens,  4  cT,  3  9  ,  2  ? 

In  the  Margaritan  specimens  before  me  the  yellow  on  the  under 
parts  is  brighter  than  in  birds  from  Bonaire,  Aruba,  and  Venezuela 
(Caracas) . 

Euscarthmus  impiger  Scl.  &  Salv. 

3  specimens,  i  cT,  i   9  ,  i  ? 

"  These  birds  were  found  only  on  the  arid  plains  at  the  west  end 
of  the  island  among  the  exceedingly  dry  chaparral."  (Ferry.)  The 
specimens  apparently  do  not  differ  from  those  from  the  mainland. 
The  species  has  not  been  previously  recorded  from  Margarita. 


Family  PipricUv. 
Chiroprion  lanceolata  (Wagler}. 

1 8  specimens,  u   d1,  7  9  , 

Mr.  Ferry  found  this  species  common  in  heavily  wooded  districts. 
Captain  Robinson  found  it  breeding  in  July  (Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  672). 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  247 

Family  Formicariidft*. 

Thamnophilus  doliatus  (Linn.). 

14  specimens,  6  cT,  8  9  . 

The  females  are  paler  than  birds  trom  Venezuela  in  the  Museum 
collection,  although  they  agree  very  well  with  those  from  Tobago. 
Mr.  Ferry  found  these  birds  common  in  the  underbrush  of  the  higher 
mountain  regions.  On  March  3  a  female  was  observed  feeding  two 
nearly  full-grown  young  birds. 

Formicivora  intermedia  Caban. 
ii  specimens,  8  d\  3  9. 


Family  Dendrocolaptidae. 

Dendroplex  longirostris  Richmond. 

ii  specimens,  6  cT,  5  9  . 

The  characters  given  by  Dr.  Richmond  as  distinguishing  this 
species  appear  to  be  constant.  "These  birds  were  tolerably  common 
and  almost  universally  distributed  over  the  island.  They  were 
equally  at  home  upon  the  arid  cactus-covered  plains  and  in  the  dense 
forests  on  the  mountains."  (Ferry.) 

Dendrornis  susurrans   (Jard.). 

i    specimen,   9 . 

Mr.  Ferry  took  a  single  specimen  of  this  species  in  a  dense  forest 
on  a  mountain  called  El  Copey  at  an  altitude  of  2500  feet.  It  differs 
slightly  from  specimens  from  Tobago  and  the  mainland  in  having  the 
under  parts  more  olive  and  the  shaft  stripes  on  the  head  and  breast 
feathers  more  tawny.  Whether  these  differences  are  constant  or  not 
remains  for  future  investigators  to  determine. 


Family  Furuariidse. 

Synallaxis  albescens  nesiotis  Clark. 

Synallaxis  albescens  Robinson  &  Richmond,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  674. 

Synallaxis  albescens  nesiotis   Clark,  Auk,   1902,  p.   264. 

8  specimens,  7  d\  i  9  . 

In  the  series  before  me  the  characters  given  by  Mr.  Clark  in 
separating  this  subspecies  seem  fairly  constant. 


248    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

Family  Icteridse. 

Icterus  icterus  (Linn.). 

24  specimens,  17  d\  7  9. 

Icterus  xanthornus  helioeides  Clark. 

Icterus  xanthornus  Robinson  &  Richmond,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus., 
Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  675. 

Icterus  xanthornus  helioeides  Clark,  Auk,  1902,  p.  265. 

44  specimens,  31  d\  n  9,  2  juv. 

As  stated  by  Mr.  Clark,  the  Margaritan  bird  is  somewhat  more 
highly  colored  and  the  black  throat  averages  more  extensive.  The 
differences  in  the  bill  and  feet,  although  slight,  appear  to  be  fairly 
constant. 

Holoquiscalus  insularis   (Richmond). 

Quiscalus  insularis  Richmond,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII, 
1895,  p.  675.  Clark,  Auk,  1902,  p.  265.  Lowe,  Ibis,  1907,  p.  570. 

Holoquiscalus  insularis  Ridgway,  Proc.  Wash.  Acad.  Sci.,  Vol. 
Ill,  1901,  p.  151. 

ii  specimens,  7  d\  4  9. 


Family  Fringillidse. 

Tiaris  bicolor  omissa    (Jardine). 
20  specimens,  12  cT,  8  9. 

Cardinalis  phoeniceus  robinsoni  Richmond. 

Cardinalis  robinsoni  Richmond,  Auk,  1895,  p.  370.  Robinson 
&  Richmond,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  676.  Clark, 
Auk,  1902,  p.  265. 

Cardinalis  phceniceus  robinsoni   Lowe,    Ibis,    1907,    p.    567. 

47  specimens,  35  cT,  12  9. 

It  is  with  considerable  hesitation  that  I  have  admitted  the  Mar- 
garitan bird  to  even  subspecific  recognition.  In  the  comparatively 
large  series  before  me,  none  of  the  supposed  distinguishing  characters 
are  constant.  I  do  not  find  any  noticeable  difference  in  size  or  col- 
oration, although  a  majority  of  the  birds  have  the  crests  shorter  than 
those  from  the  mainland. 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  249 

Volatinia  jacarini  splendens  (Vieill.). 

Recorded  by  Captain  Robinson  (Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII, 
1895,  p.  677),  but  not  observed  by  other  ornithologists  who  have 
visited  the  island. 

Coryphospingus  pileatus  (Neuwied). 

Mr.  Ferry  procured  3  specimens,  all  males,  which  agree  very  well 
with  specimens  from  the  mainland.  The  species  has  not  previously 
been  recorded  from  Margarita.  "These  birds  were  fairly  common 
in  the  arid  areas  of  chaparral  back  of  the  town  of  Macanao.  They 
were  found  nowhere  except  upon  these  dry  forested  plains  and  kept 
to  the  underbrush  rather  than  to  higher  trees."  (Ferry.) 


Family  Taiigaridfe. 

Tangara  palmarum  melanoptera   (Sclater). 
16  specimens,  8  d\  8  9. 

Tangara  glaucocolpa  (Caban.). 
7  specimens,  4  c\  3  9  . 

Tachyphonus  melaleucus  (Sparrm.}. 

7  specimens,  5  d\  2  9  . 

Family  Hiruiidiiiidse. 

Progne  chalybea  (Gmel.). 

Mr.  Ferry  procured  an  adult  male  of  this  species  at  Porlamar. 
Captain  Robinson  and  Mr.  Clark  found  it  nesting  at  Porlamar  and 
also  at  El  Valle. 

Family  Vireonidse. 

Vireosylva  chivi  agilis  (Licht.). 

Captain  Robinson  states  that  he  found  this  Vireo  common  in  the 
forests  around  El  Valle  (Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII,  1895, 
p.  678).  It  was  not  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry. 

Pachysylvia  griseipes   (Richmond}. 

Hylophihis  griseipes  Richmond,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Vol. 
XVIII,  1895,  p.  678.  Clark,  Auk,  1902,  p.  266. 

Pachysilvia  griseipes    Lowe,   Ibis,   1907,  p.   561. 

6  specimens,  3  d\  3  9. 


250    FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  I. 

Family  Ccerebitlse. 
Coereba  luteola   (Caban.). 
ii  specimens,  6  cf,  5  9. 

Cyanerpes  cyaneus  brevipes  (Caban.). 

Arbelorhina  brevipes  Cabanis,  Mus.  Hein.,  I,  1850,  p.  96. 

Arbelorhina  eximia   Cabanis,  Mus.  Hein.,  I,  1850,  p.  96. 

Arbelorhina  cyanea  eximia  Robinson  &  Richmond,  Proc.  U.  S. 
Nat.  Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  679. 

A  single  male  taken  at  Porlamar,  February  17,  which  is  noticeable 
for  its  large  bill.  The  measurements  are  as  follows:  wing,  2.45; 
tarsus,  .46;  bill,  .82. 

Dacnis  plumbea  (Lath.}. 

10  specimens,  6  d\  4  9  . 

The  Margaritan  birds  apparently  do  not  differ  from  those  from 
other  localities.  The  species  has  not  previously  been  recorded  from 
the  island.  "These  birds  were  common  in  mangrove  swamps  at 
Boca  del  Rio;  2  or  3  were  usually  seen  together."  (Ferry.) 


Family  Mliiotiltidse. 

Dendroica  ruficapilla  rufopileata  Ridgw. 

A  single  immature  specimen  was  taken  by  Mr.  Ferry  on  Margarita, 
which  I  refer  provisionally  to  this  form.     See  remarks  on  page  218. 

Compsothlypis  pitiayumi   (Vieill.}. 

2  specimens,  i  d\  i  9  ;    not  previously  recorded  from  Margarita. 

Setophaga  ruticilla   (Linn.}. 

Mr.  Lowe  states  that  he  procured  three  specimens,  March  19-20, 
1906.      (Ibis,   1907,  p.   565.)     It  was  not  observed  by  Mr.  Ferry. 


Family  Mimidre. 

Mimus  gilvus   (Vieill.). 

31  specimens,  18  cT,  n  9,  2  ? 

Many  specimens  are  more  or  less  indeterminate,  but  the  majority 
approach  nearer  gilvus  than  to  restrains. 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY.  251 

Family  Sylviidse. 

Polioptila  plumbiceps  Lawrence. 
19  specimens,  7  d\  8  9  ,  4  ?  . 

Family  Turdidse. 

Planesticus  gymnophthalmus   (Caban.). 

i  specimen,  a  female,  which  does  not  apparently  differ  from  speci- 
mens from  the  mainland.  The  species  has  not  previously  been 
recorded  from  Margarita. 

Platycichla  venezuelensis  atra  subsp.    nov. 

Platycichla  carbonaria  Robinson  and  Richmond,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat. 
Mus.,  Vol.  XVIII,  1895,  p.  681. 

Type  No.  37714,  Field  Museum  of  Natural  History  (Margarita 
Island,  Venezuela.). 

Adult  male:  Whole  of  head,  nape,  and  under  parts  (except  sides 
of  body,  flanks,  and  under  tail  coverts)  black;  sides  of  body,  flanks, 
and  under  tail  coverts  dark  slaty  gray;  back  and  rump  slaty  gray, 
many  of  the  feathers  tipped  with  black;  scapulars  slaty  gray,  edged 
with  black;  wings  and  tail  black;  bill,  legs,  feet,  and  eye-ring  yellow. 

Length  (skin),  8.40;   wing,  4.50;   tail,  3.50;   tarsus,  i;   bill,  .72. 

This  form  is  similar  to  P.  melanopleura  Sharp,  but  differs  in  hav- 
ing the  entire  head  black  and  the  under  tail  coverts  and  axillaries 
gray.  From  P.  venezuelensis  it  differs  in  having  the  entire  under 
parts  (except  the  sides,  flanks,  and  under  tail  coverts)  black,  while 
the  mainland  form  as  represented  by  specimens  from  Venezuela  in 
this  Museum  have  only  the  throat  and  breast  black  and  the  rest  of 
the  under  parts  gray.  Females  from  Margarita  do  not  appear  to 
differ  from  those  of  P.  venezuelensis. 

Mr.  John  F.  Ferry  informs  me  he  found  these  birds  common  in  the 
dense  forests  of  the  humid  mountain  regions,  particularly  at  El  Copey 
above  La  Asuncion. 


*=specimens  in  this  Museum;  +=recorded  by  other  writers; 
O=observed  but  not  taken. 


a 
& 

Ui 

< 

Curagao 

Bonaire 

Islas  de  Aves 

Los  Roques 

Orchilla 

CO 

M 
3 
1* 
O 

H 

Blanquilla 

Los  Hermanos 

Testigos  Is. 

Margarita 

Larus  atricilla  

-f 

_(- 

+ 

* 

Phaethusa  magnirostris  

* 

+ 

Sterna  maxima  

* 

4- 

+ 

* 

Sterna  eurygnatha  

* 

4 

Sterna  hirundo  

* 

-1- 

4- 

Sterna  dougalli  

-1- 

Sterna  antillarum   

* 

4- 

4 

Sterna  fuliginosa  

* 

* 

Sterna  anaethetus  

4- 

Anous  stolidus  

* 

Rhynchops  nigra  

4 

Oceanites  oceanicus  

4 

Phaethon  aethereus  

+ 

Sula  leucogastra  

* 

+ 

Sula  piscator  

_|_ 

4- 

Sula  cyanops   

* 

Phalacrocorax  vigua  

* 

* 

Pelecanus  occidentalis  

* 

-J- 

+ 

0 

O 

O 

0 

0 

4 

Fregata  aquila  

* 

4- 

-f 

O 

0 

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0 

+ 

0 

4 

Dendrocy.gna  sp  ?  

4 

Phocnicopterus  ruber  

4- 

+ 

* 

0 

•f 

Ajaia  ajaia  

V 

* 

Guara  rubra  

* 

Ardea  occidentalis  

4 

Ardea  herodias  

4- 

* 

+ 

4 

Herodias  egretta  

4 

Egretta  candidissima  

+ 

4. 

Hydranassa  tricolor  

+ 

+ 

Hydranassa  tricolor  ruficollis  

* 

* 

Florida  caerulea  

* 

4 

Dichromanassa  ruf  escens  

* 

Butorides  virescens  ?  

4- 

4- 

Butorides  virescens  robinsoni  

* 

* 

+ 

4 

Nycticorax  nycticorax  na?vius  

* 

Nyctanassa  violacea  

* 

* 

Himantopus  mexicanus  

+ 

+ 

* 

Pisobia  maculata  

* 

Pisobia  minutilla  

* 

+ 

4 

* 

Ereunetes  pusillus  

* 

* 

Ereunetes  mauri  

+ 

252 


OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS — CORY. 


253 


C8 

ft 

S 

< 

Curasao 

Bonaire 

Islas  de  Aves 

Los  Roques 

Orchilla 

Tortuga 

Blanquilla 

Los  Hermanos 

Testigos  Is. 

Margarita 

Calidris  leucophasa  

* 

V 

* 

* 

* 
* 

* 
* 

* 
* 

* 

* 
* 
* 

+ 
* 

* 
* 
* 

* 

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* 

* 

+ 

* 
* 

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+ 
* 

+ 
+ 

* 

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+ 

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* 
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+ 
+ 

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0 
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0 

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+ 
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* 
* 

* 

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Totanus  melanoleucus  

Totanus  flavipes  

Helodromas  solitarius     

Catoptrophorus  semipalmatus  

Actitis  macularia  

Numenius  hudsonicus  

Squatarola  squatarola  

yEgialitis  semipalmata.       , 

^Egialitis  nivosa  

.itgialitis  collaris  

Ochthodromus  wilsonius  rufinuchus  

Arenaria  interpres  morinella  

CEdicnemus  bistriatus  

Haematopus  pailiatus  

Eupsychortyx  cristatus  

Eupsychortyx  pallidus  

Ortalis  ruficauda  

Columba  gymnophthalma  

Columba  portoricensis. 

Leptotila  verreauxi  

Zenaida  vinaceo-rufa  

Chaemepelia  passerina  perpallida  

Chaemepelia  rufipennis  

Scardafella  ridgwayi  

Cathartes  aura  

Catharista  urubu  

Buteo  albicaudatus  

Buteo  albicaudatus  colonus  

Falco  peregrinus  anatum  

Falco  sparverius  brevipennis  

Falco  sparverius  isabellinus  

Gampsonyx  swainsoni  

Polyborus  cheriway  

Aluco  pratincola  bargei  

Speotyto  brachyptera  

Speotyto  cunicularia  

Pisorhina  choliba  

Glaucidium  phalaenoides  

Amazona  ochroptera  

Amazona  ochroptera  rothschildi  

Amazona  amazonica  

Conurus  pertinax  

Conurus  xanthogenius  

Conurus  aeruginosus  

Conurus  aeruginosus  arubensis  

Conurus  aeruginosus  tortugensis  

Conurus  neoxenus  

Crotophaga  sulcirostris  

Crotophaga  ani  

Coccyzus  minor  

Coccyzus  americanus  

Diplopterus  nasvius  

254     FIELD  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  —  ORNITHOLOGY,  VOL.  T. 


Bucco  bicinctus 

Ceryle  torquata 

Ceryle  alcyon 

Melanerpes  subelegans 

Chordeiles  acutipennis 

Stenopsis  cayennensis 

Chastura  cinereiventris  lawrencei 

Florisuga  mellivora 

Chrysolampis  mosquitus 

Chlorostilbon  caribaeus 

Dolerpmya  pallida 

Amazilia  alicise 

Milvulus  tyrannus 

Tyrannus  dominicensis 

Tyrannus  melancholicus  satrapa 

Myiarchus  tyrannulus 

Myiarchus  tyrannulus  brevipennis 

Sublegatus  glaber 

Elaenia  martinica  riisii 

Euscarthmus  impiger 

Chiroprion  lanceolata 

Thamnpphilus  doliatus 

Formicivora  intermedia 

Dendroplex  longirostris 

Dendrornis  susurrans 

Synallaxis  albescens  nesiotis 

Icterus  icterus 

Icterus  icterus  ridgwayi 

Icterus  xanthornus  curasoensis 

Icterus  xanthornus  helioeides 

Holoquiscalus  insularis 

Holoquiscalus  orquillensis 

Dolichonyx  oryzivorus 

Spiza  americana 

Brachyspiza  capensis  insularis 

Ammodramus  savannarum  caribeaus .... 

Tiaris  sharpei 

Tiaris  johnstonei 

Tiaris  tortugensis 

Tiaris  bicolor  omissa 

Cardinalis  phceniceus  robinsoni 

Volatinia  jacarini  splendens 

Coryphospingus  pileatus 

Tangara  palmarum  melanoptera 

Tangara  glaucocolpa 

Tachyphonus  melaleucus 

Progne  chalybea 

Hirundo  erythrogaster 

Vireosylva  chivi  agilis 

Pachysylvia  griseipes 

Ccereba  uropygialis 

Crereba  luteola 

Crereba  ferryi 


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OCT.,  1909.     BIRDS  OF  THE  LEEWARD  ISLANDS  —  CORY. 


255 


Ccereba  laurae 

Ccereba  lowii 

Cyanerpes  cyaneus  brevipes 

Dacnis  plumbea 

Dendroica  ruficapilla  rufopileata. 
Dendroica  ruficapilla  obscura 

Compsothlypis  pitiayumi 

Setophaga  ruticilla 

Seiurus  noveboracensis 

Mimus  gilvus 

Mimus  gilvus  rostratus 

Margarops  fuscatus 

Polioptila  plumbiceps 

Planesticus  gymnophthalmus. . . . 
Platvcichla  venezuelensis  atra. .. 


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